Preparation underway for PM's three-nation visit in next 2 months

Preparation is underway for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visits to three countries in October and November. Among them, he is scheduled to go on bilateral visits to Japan and Saudi Arabia, and attend the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Turkey.

Quoting diplomatic sources in Tokyo, Riyadh and Ankara, media reported that preliminary preparations for the visits to Japan in October and Turkey and Saudi Arabia in November have begun.

Diplomatic sources said the Prime Minister may visit Japan in the last week of October. After that, there is a possibility of a visit to Turkey in early November and Saudi Arabia in the second half of the month.

Sources in Dhaka and Tokyo said the visit is scheduled at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Discussions are ongoing among senior officials of the two countries on arranging a three to four-day visit. Information has also surfaced that Japan has extended an official invitation to the Prime Minister.

Japan visit
During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to Japan, various bilateral issues including investment, trade and commerce, and manpower export may receive importance.

Earlier, in May 2025, then Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, visited Japan. During that visit, several memoranda of understanding were signed in the investment, energy and technology sectors, and discussions were held on sending skilled Bangladeshi workers to Japan.

Turkey visit
COP31 will be held in Antalya in Turkey's Anatolia region in November. According to the United Nations, the conference will run from November 9 to 20. The summit of world leaders will be held on November 11 and 12.

Concerned parties believe COP31 is important for Bangladesh as a country at risk from climate change. Various issues, including climate financing, implementation of previous commitments and addressing climate change damage, may receive importance at the conference.

Saudi visit
Diplomatic sources said preparation is underway for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Riyadh in the second half of November at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

During the possible visit, discussions may be held on bilateral relations, energy imports, investment, manpower export and various regional and international issues. Alongside this, the issue of Saudi Arabia's cooperation on the Rohingya issue may also come up in the discussions.

Currently, more than 2.8 million Bangladeshis are working in Saudi Arabia. The country is one of Bangladesh's most important labour markets. In recent times, alongside manpower export, Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in investing in the fisheries, food, energy, renewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence sectors.