Dhaka: Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud has expressed keenness to strengthen economic relations of his country with Bangladesh for mutual benefits.

Visiting Saudi Trade and Investment Minister Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasaibi and Economy and Planning Minister Mohammed Bin Mazyed Al-Twaijri said this at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her office on Thursday.

Prime Minister’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Referring to his meeting with the Saudi King before flying for Bangladesh, Saudi Minister for Trade and Investment Dr Majid said that King Salman wants to develop strong economic relations with Bangladesh.

The minister said they identified seven sectors for boosting cooperation between the two countries, including power, railway, aeronautics as well as post and telecommunications.

He said Saudi entrepreneurs are keen to invest in Bangladesh.

The Saudi Trade and Investment Minister appreciated the economic development of Bangladesh saying that the country is an Asian tiger.

Dr Majid said Bangladesh has gained remarkable achievement, particularly in export sector, as the country’s export volume has increased to US$ 37 billion from only US$ 10 billion.

The two ministers highly praised the progress of Bangladesh under dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ‘You should be proud of yourself and your team (for development of Bangladesh),’ said Dr Majid.

Dr Majid said what is good for Bangladesh is also good for Saudi Arabia, too.

Praising the reduction pace of both poor and extreme poor in Bangladesh, the two ministers said what they have seen is beyond their expectation.

Expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, the two Saudi ministers said, they want to take this relation to a new height.

The visiting Saudi Arabia ministers conveyed the regards of the Saudi King and the Crown Prince to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the outset of the meeting.

Welcoming the two Saudi ministers, the Prime Minister conveyed her regards to the Saudi king and the Crown Prince.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has set up special economic zones where the government is giving lands to various companies so that they can establish their industries according to their choice.

In this regard, the Prime Minister asked the Saudi entrepreneurs to invest in the special economic zones for the mutual benefits.

Talking about aeronautic sector which was identified for Saudi investment, she said the government has enacted a law to set up an Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat.

The Prime Minister highlighted development of different sectors, including education and healthcare.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Planning Minister MA Mannan, PM’s Energy Adviser DrTawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Kazi M Aminul Islam, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan and Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Golam Moshi were, among others, present.

The two Saudi ministers arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night, leading a large delegation.