Bismillah hir Rahmanir Rahim
Centre for
Saudi Arabia Studies (CSAS) is a Non-political, Non-profitable, Non-government,
Voluntary, and independent study circle engaged in research and analysis of exploring
economic opportunities, geo-political developments, and establish
people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as
with a special focus on the Middle East.
We
acknowledge that Allah Almighty has bestowed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with
two holy mosques, most sacred sites for Muslims on earth, and the Kaaba (Qibla)
to which more than a billion Muslims turn at prayers. There is a special
religiously significant place for Saudi Arabia in the hearts of all Muslims as
it is also the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the largest and most valued destination for
Bangladesh's expatriate workforce which mutually contributes significantly to
the development of both countries. According to a reliable data published in
February of this year, approximately 3 million Bangladeshis live and work
in Saudi Arabia. While the unofficial number is even bigger, Bangladesh
workforce is the largest expat group in the Kingdom and also the biggest
Bangladeshi community outside Bangladesh.
However,
Bangladesh being a Muslim-majority country, attaches a special priority and
concentration to its relations with Saudi Arabia not only due to religious
significance and inbound foreign remittance. Both countries have common
social norms and cultural values derived from their religious practices. Thus,
a unique opportunity exists between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to work
together in exploring untapped avenues to take our relationship to the next
level.
The people of
Bangladesh desire development and progress of the Muslim Ummah under the astute
leadership of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. His government is markedly
enthusiastic to provide all-out cooperation in the development and progress of
Bangladesh. The crown prince’s sincere aspiration to visit Bangladesh this year
is a testament to it.
Also, both
countries share similar views on many regional and international issues
especially those are directly related to the Muslim world. Their common
interest led them to cooperate in different regional and international
platforms such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United
Nations, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and many more organizations. In 1974,
Bangladesh joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the
visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Since then,
Bangladesh has been keeping close relation with all Muslim countries.
Diplomatic
relations between Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) had
been officially established in 1976. Since then, the two countries have been
maintaining cordial and closer friendship prioritizing mutual
understanding, a deep sense of fraternity, and cooperation in multilateral
sectors.
The
remarkable economic growth of Bangladesh in the last 50 years has made the
country an industrial and geo-strategic hub of South Asia. According to the
World Bank, Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies of the world
supported by its consistent growth in readymade garments (RMG) exports,
demographic dividend, and stable macro-economic conditions.
Due to
Bangladesh’s stable economic and GDP growth the KSA now perceives Bangladesh to
have gone far beyond religious and cheap workforce criterions. Bangladesh now
has also emerged as a lucrative investment destination.
Our point,
however, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a transformative and
ambitious blueprint to unlock the potentials of its people while create a diversified,
innovative, and a leading nation within the Arab region and the rest of the
world. Since Vision 2030’s launching in 2016, it has manifestly delivered
unprecedented transformation and remarkable growth in just seven years. Saudi
Arabia has a promising future with its thoroughly planned preparation,
leveraging the country's unique strengths and capabilities. With its strong
foundation and growing momentum, Vision 2030 is set to unlock opportunities,
securing a better future for Saudi Arabia and for the people of Bangladesh as
well.
Bangladesh
too has shown its marked commitment under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s
leadership that it can cooperate with KSA in implementing its "Vision
2030" by cooperating in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture,
education, manpower, IT sector, renewable energy, tourism, religion, sports,
women empowerment, cultural and people to people exchange. At the same time,
Bangladesh requires Saudi engagement and economic cooperation to materialize
the country's “Vision 2041".
Needs be
mentioned, bi-lateral ties only thrive on mutual growth and benefits since,
diplomacy is not a one-sided affair, sometimes it is bi-lateral, at times it is
multi-lateral. On that note - "Smart Bangladesh 2041" is both a
vision and a plan set forth by the Government of Bangladesh to transform the
country into a developed and prosperous nation by the year 2041. Apart from
state-level visits to economic and investment-related delegations, cultural and
defence co-operation can play a crucial role in taking BD-Saudi ties to a new
height. Greater economic and cultural engagement from both sides can
fundamentally change overall relationship dynamics between these two countries considerably
in the coming future.
Center for
Saudi Arabia Studies (CSAS) will try to promote understanding and cooperation
among different professionals, think-tanks, research organizations, social
entities, and interest groups engaged in developmental, welfare, and
research-oriented activities between The People’s Republic of Bangladesh and
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with an exclusive focus on our bi-lateral
ties the Middle-east, South Asia and South-east Asia.
CSAS plans to
undertake research and studies in the areas of foreign policy, and diplomacy
including economic, investment, cultural, and domestic policy and development
in the areas of science and technology, IT sectors, tourism, and other relevant
areas to promote further collaboration between Saudi Arabia and The People’s
Republic of Bangladesh. Moreover, CSAS will also promote and develop research
or other studies in areas of National security in any comprehensive manner
involving dimensions of regional security, international cooperation on
security strategic issues as well as regional and international peace-keeping
activities in various conflict zones - contributing to reinforcing peace
regionally and globally.
It will work
with the various international donor agencies, research organizations,
strategic study circles as well as government and non-government organizations
on different topical issues in South Asia, South Asia as well as in the
USA and European countries.
In addition, CSAS
aims to tie together experts, think tanks, and scholars for effective regional
counter-terror strategies while serve as a link portal with other terrorism
research centres with a special focus on the Middle East, South Asia, South
East Asia.
CSAS aims to
organize dialogues and intellectual interactions between Saudi Arabia and
Bangladesh and Asian and non-Asian countries regularly involving high-level
policymakers, intelligentsia, and representatives of the key stakeholders of
the concerned countries who will be invited to such events. The discussion will
cover key bilateral, regional, and international issues to realize the
objectives of the foundation. Moreover, CSAS will organize joint programs and
collaboration with the Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC), the Islamic
Development Bank (IDB), The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (the
Arab Fund), the Saudi Fund for Development, the World Bank, the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), UNESCO, UNDP, Save the Children, UNCTAD, WTO, ILO, FAO,
IRRI, and other relevant national and international agencies to achieve
objectives of the foundation. CSAS would also offer a platform to exchange
programmes for investors, traders, educationists, researchers, and cultural and
religious personalities.
Finally, Centre
for Saudi Arabia Studies (CSAS) will launch a visionary programme on "Know
Saudi Arabia" and "Know Bangladesh" among investors,
educationists, researchers, young professionals, scientists, IT experts,
religious leaders, and cultural and women activists.
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