Saudi Arabia has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit the Kingdom, with the invitation formally conveyed through a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud during a meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.

The letter was handed over by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah, who paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Cabinet Division at around 9:40am, according to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir announced the development at an emergency press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later in the day.

Tarique Rahman, in turn, invited the Saudi Crown Prince to pay an official visit to Bangladesh.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Humayun said the dates for the PM's visit to Saudi Arabia would be finalised through consultations between the two governments.

Describing Saudi Arabia as a longstanding friend of Bangladesh, Humayun said the Kingdom was keen to expand trade and investment with Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Bangladesh Ibrahim Abdullah were also present at the meeting.