Diplomatic Desk:
In a landmark moment for South-South commerce, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam formally inaugurated the first-ever Bangladesh–Morocco B2B Meeting Platform in Rabat on Tuesday (19 May 2026), opening a new corridor for trade, investment and green innovation linking South Asia with Morocco’s gateway to Africa, Europe and beyond. The launch marked the flagship event of the State Minister’s two-day visit to Morocco and one of its most significant outcomes.
In her inaugural remarks, State Minister Shama Obaed said: “The Platform is established to catalyse high-value, innovation-driven and people-centred partnerships, not trade for trade’s sake, but trade that builds industries, creates jobs, accelerates technology transfer and drives sustainable growth on both sides.”
Highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic position between South and Southeast Asia, the State Minister further shed light on the country’s emergence as the world’s second-largest garment exporter, a pharmaceutical supplier to more than 150 countries, and a growing hub for ICT, leather, ceramics, light engineering and food processing. She also conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Moroccan businesses to consider Bangladesh as a key investment destination.
The promotion of Bangladesh’s jute and jute-based products emerged as one of the key priorities of the new platform. Bangladesh’s modernized jute industry—producing biodegradable, carbon-absorbing products increasingly utilized in the automotive and fashion sectors—aligns closely with Morocco’s expanding industrial landscape. The State Minister remarked:
“As African countries increasingly move to restrict single-use plastics, demand for biodegradable alternatives made from jute is expected to rise significantly, positioning Bangladesh as a major supplier.”
An exhibition featuring Bangladeshi jute products was also organized at the Chamber premises. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated through a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the State Minister and Hassan Sakhi, President of the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce.
The B2B event, organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Rabat in collaboration with the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, brought together around 30 leading Moroccan business figures and a seven-member Bangladeshi business delegation. To give further momentum to this platform, a high-level Moroccan business delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh in November 2026 to explore economic zones, industrial hubs and innovation centres, paving the way for investment partnerships and joint ventures.
Sadia Faizunnesa also addressed the event. Among others, Syed Md. Nurul Basir, Director General, Department of Jute of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute; Abdur Rouf Mondol, Director General (Africa) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Sahela Akter, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industries were present.
Later in the afternoon, the State Minister delivered a lecture titled “Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Focus on Africa” at the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies in Rabat. She highlighted the government’s forward-looking, value-driven and people-centric foreign policy anchored in the principle of “Bangladesh First,” aimed at safeguarding national interests while promoting constructive international engagement. Emphasizing the vast potential for Bangladesh–Africa cooperation, she stressed the importance of advancing shared goals of peace, prosperity, sustainable development and economic empowerment for the peoples of both regions.
The session was attended by diplomats, retired ambassadors, trainee diplomats, academics and foreign policy experts. Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa accompanied the State Minister throughout the session.
