Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia will mark a new chapter in Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations by deepening diplomatic engagement and expanding trade and investment, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir said on Monday.

He made the remarks while briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

During the meeting, the Saudi envoy handed over a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud inviting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit the Kingdom.

The ambassador also conveyed greetings from the Crown Prince and informed the Prime Minister that the Saudi leader was keen to pay a reciprocal visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

"We will strengthen our diplomatic relations as well as expand the volume of trade and investment in our partnership," Kabir said.

He described the development as a reflection of the two countries' shared commitment to elevating their long-standing brotherly relations into a stronger strategic partnership.

"We are very positive about developing strategic cooperation and partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said, adding that bilateral relations have traditionally been warm and cordial.

According to the adviser, both countries are eager to broaden cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and ties are expected to reach new heights.

"There is tremendous interest from both the Saudi government and the private sector to invest in Bangladesh," he said.

Kabir described the exchange of invitations as a significant milestone in bilateral relations, saying the invitation extended to the Prime Minister and the Saudi Crown Prince's willingness to visit Bangladesh underscored the importance both countries attach to their partnership.

Responding to a question, he confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had accepted the invitation to visit Saudi Arabia.

He said the timing of the visit would be determined through consultations between the two governments.

Asked whether the Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia or the Crown Prince's proposed visit to Bangladesh would take place first, Kabir said the sequence had yet to be decided.

"These matters will be worked out through discussions," he said.

The adviser said the reciprocal interest in high-level visits reflected Bangladesh's growing international profile under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Referring to the Prime Minister's recent visits to China and Malaysia, Kabir said Bangladesh had already established strategic partnerships with both countries.

He described Saudi Arabia as one of Bangladesh's strongest partners in the Middle East.

"We consider Saudi Arabia not merely a bilateral partner, but a truly brotherly nation," he said.

Kabir also said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, had strengthened Bangladesh's relations across the Middle East over the past four months.

He noted that the Prime Minister's decision to send him as a special envoy to several Middle Eastern countries during the regional conflict had generated considerable goodwill throughout the region.

"That goodwill has now culminated in a significant moment, with Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia set to further deepen their strategic communication and partnership," he added.