Bangladesh and Morocco have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, skills development, and multilateral issues.
The agreement was reached in a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Tuesday, said a Foreign Ministry's press release on Wednesday.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh is keen to deepen its engagement with African nations and elevate its partnership with Morocco to a new horizon of cooperation, shared prosperity and strategic opportunity," Shama Obaid told the Moroccan foreign minister.
The two leaders stressed the importance of sustained high-level exchanges in strengthening political relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, the state minister recalled the historic visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980 and appreciated Morocco's gesture of naming an avenue in Rabat after him.
Both sides reaffirmed commitment to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, sports, culture, agriculture, education, women's empowerment, shipbuilding and people-to-people connectivity alongside enhanced multilateral collaboration.
They also agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka at the earliest opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and identify new areas of mutual interest.
Shama Obaid extended an invitation to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
In response, the Moroccan minister expressed interest in sending a business delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026.
Highlighting existing agricultural cooperation, the state minister called for stronger government-to-government collaboration to ensure a more reliable phosphate supply chain to support Bangladesh's agricultural development and food security.
She also reiterated Bangladesh's interest in promoting eco-friendly jute and jute goods in the Moroccan market.
The two sides pledged deeper cooperation in innovation, industrial training, information and communication technology and artificial intelligence, while also discussing prospects for a Free Trade Agreement to strengthen bilateral trade.
On the same day, Shama Obaed met Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills Younes Sekkouri.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sadia Faizunnesa and Foreign Ministry Director General (Africa) Abdur Rouf Mondol accompanied the state minister during the meetings.
Shama Obaid is currently visiting Morocco to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, scheduled to be held in Rabat today.
bd-pratidin/GR
