Chief Adviser’s Saudi Visit Cancelled

The upcoming Saudi Arabia visit of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been cancelled. He was scheduled to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh from October 27 to 30.

Sources from the Chief Adviser’s office stated that the decision to cancel the visit was due to the ongoing political situation in the country, particularly the implementation process of the July accord and preparations for the upcoming national elections, which have kept the Chief Adviser occupied.

Instead of the Chief Adviser, Bangladesh’s delegation to the conference will be led by Dr. Lutfe Siddiqui, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs.

Earlier, in July, the Saudi Ambassador to Dhaka, Dr. Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah, handed over an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Chief Adviser during a meeting at the Jamuna State Guest House. Preparations for his Riyadh visit had been underway since then.

Sources also mentioned that an inter-ministerial meeting regarding the visit had already been held, and a preliminary schedule had been finalized. However, due to political priorities, the trip has been temporarily postponed.

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference is considered one of Saudi Arabia’s largest global economic forums, attracting top investors, world leaders, and policymakers from across the globe every year.