Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have intensified efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of Rohingyas in the Kingdom holding Bangladeshi passports, while also seeking to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and labour mobility.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Tuesday that Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah were working closely with Saudi authorities to address passport-related complications involving Rohingyas residing in the Kingdom. She said technical teams from both countries were handling the ongoing process and did not specify how many cases had been resolved.

The passport issue has remained a sensitive matter in bilateral relations for years. According to local media reports, including New Age, Saudi authorities have repeatedly raised concerns that some Rohingyas fraudulently obtained Bangladeshi passports before entering the Kingdom, prompting both governments to seek a coordinated solution.

The issue was discussed during talks between Bangladesh and a high-level Saudi delegation led by Saudi Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Waleed El-Khereiji, who is visiting Dhaka. Shama described the discussions as productive, saying Riyadh had expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh's fisheries, food processing, renewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence sectors, while both sides also explored expanding employment opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers.

The visit also included meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who invited greater Saudi investment in Bangladesh's infrastructure and solar energy sectors. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its interest in strengthening long-term economic cooperation and invited the prime minister to visit the Kingdom.

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