Saudi-Bangladesh Business Summit begins Monday to forge stronger economic ties

A landmark three-day Saudi-Bangladesh Business Summit is set to commence on Monday, October 6, in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward deepening bilateral trade and investment relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Organised by the newly established Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SABCCI), the summit will be held at the Sheraton Dhaka in Banani, with a high-profile delegation of 20 Saudi business leaders, academics, and sector experts arriving in Dhaka on Sunday.

The delegation, led by Sheikh Omar Abdul Hafiz Amir Baksh, Chairman of the Umran Group, includes prominent figures from healthcare, education, and industry—many of whom are visiting Bangladesh for the first time. Their presence underscores growing Saudi interest in exploring Bangladesh as a strategic trade and investment partner.

At a press briefing held Sunday morning at City Bank Center in Gulshan, Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, President of SABCCI, emphasised the urgency of diversifying Bangladesh’s export markets beyond traditional Western destinations. 

“Even after decades of independence, there has been no joint venture between our two nations,” he noted. “It’s time we tap into the vast potential Saudi Arabia offers—not just as an oil supplier, but as a dynamic market for Bangladeshi goods and skilled professionals.”

Bangladesh currently exports ready-made garments, headwear, and packaged foods, including products from major conglomerates like Pran and Akij, to Saudi Arabia, while importing crude oil, dates, and other commodities. However, Ashraful Haque pointed out that only a handful of Bangladeshi companies actively engage in this trade corridor, despite the presence of over 3 million Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom.

The summit’s agenda is packed with high-level engagements:

October 7: The main summit session will feature addresses by Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, and BNP Standing Committee Member and former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. That evening, SABCCI will formally inaugurate its operations, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the chief guest.

22 Bangladeshi exhibitors, including a dedicated stall by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), will showcase products and services.

October 8: The Foreign Secretary will host a luncheon in honor of the Saudi delegation at the State Guest House Padma, followed by a press conference at the Sonargaon Hotel to highlight outcomes and future collaboration frameworks.

SABCCI Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Walid expressed optimism about tangible business outcomes: “Many Bangladeshis already run successful enterprises in Saudi Arabia. We aim to channel their experience into structured partnerships.”

Uzma Chowdhury, SABCCI Director and Director of Pran Agro Limited, highlighted opportunities beyond goods. “For 25 years, we’ve exported food products to Saudi Arabia. Now, we see strong demand for skilled manpower, especially nurses and IT professionals.” She cited the Amjad Khan Chowdhury Nursing College in Natore as a key initiative to meet Saudi healthcare sector needs.

SABCCI has pledged to serve as a permanent platform to address trade barriers and unlock investment potential. “This summit isn’t just about dialogue, it’s about action,” said Ashraful Haque Chowdhury. “We’ll identify concrete solutions and opportunities to move our economic relationship forward.”

With global trade uncertainties mounting, the Saudi-Bangladesh Business Summit represents a timely pivot toward South-South cooperation, and a potential new chapter in Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy.