Bangladesh and Morocco have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with both countries expressing optimism about elevating relations through expanded trade, investment and strategic collaboration.
The discussions took place during an official visit to Rabat, where Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam held bilateral talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on 19 May.
During the meeting, Shama Obaed said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, is keen to strengthen engagement with African nations and advance relations with Morocco toward greater economic cooperation, shared prosperity and strategic partnership.
The two sides discussed opportunities to expand collaboration across sectors including trade and investment, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, agriculture, education, sports, shipbuilding, women’s empowerment and people-to-people connectivity.
Both countries also agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka at the earliest opportunity to accelerate bilateral engagement.
During the visit, the state minister recalled the 1980 visit of former President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco and expressed appreciation to the Moroccan government for naming an avenue in Rabat after him.
Shama Obaed also met Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, where discussions focused on strengthening commercial relations through business delegation exchanges and private-sector collaboration.
Morocco reportedly expressed interest in sending a trade delegation to Bangladesh by the end of 2026 to explore investment and partnership opportunities.
The talks further covered agricultural cooperation, particularly phosphate exports to support Bangladesh’s food security initiatives, alongside the promotion of environmentally friendly jute and jute-based products in the Moroccan market.
In addition, both sides explored potential collaboration in innovation, industrial training, information and communication technology (ICT), and artificial intelligence.
Officials also discussed the possibility of signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at enhancing trade flows and long-term economic cooperation between the two countries.
Analysts believe stronger Bangladesh-Morocco cooperation could create new trade and investment opportunities linking South Asia and North Africa, particularly in textiles, agriculture and industrial development.
