Saudi to Continue Supporting Bangladesh’s Socio-Economic Dev

Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Arabian minister for Hajj and Umrah, stated on Wednesday that his nation is keen to strengthen ties with Bangladesh in a number of areas, including commerce and business.

The minister made this remark while paying President Mohammed Shahabuddin a courtesy visit at Bangabhaban.

The president welcomed the minister and stated that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are close friends. The two nations today have a fantastic connection.

He also said that Saudi Arabia is playing an important role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

Shahabuddin said Saudi Arabia is one of Bangladesh's manpower export destinations. Bangladeshi skilled and unskilled manpower working in Saudi Arabia is contributing positively to the infrastructure and economic development of the two countries.

He expressed the hope that the Saudi government will take more effective initiatives for the welfare of Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia.

Referring to the completion of immigration in Dhaka for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to perform the holy Hajj, the president said that the journey and performance of the Hajj has become easy and comfortable for the pilgrims for this initiative.

He expressed the hope that all Hajj pilgrims of the world including Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj more easily and smoothly in the future.

Praising the Saudi government for its warm hospitality during Hajj as a royal guest this year, the President said that various Islamic traditions, including the holy Haram Sharif and Masjid-e-Nababi, are highly respected and prestigious for the devout Muslims of Bangladesh.

Referring to the Saudi government's humanitarian assistance for the displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar in Bangladesh, President Shahabuddin expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will play a strong role in various international forums for the safe and honourable repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Referring to his meeting with Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Hajj, the president expressed hope that he would visit Bangladesh soon.

The Saudi minister said that the existing relations between the two brotherly countries Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh are very good.

The Saudi minister praised Bangladesh's many development initiatives and commended its government and people on moving from a less developed to a developing state.

He said that the Saudi government will continue to support Bangladesh's development.

The minister also promised that the required steps would be taken to make it easier and more efficient for Bangladeshi pilgrims to do the Hajj.

During the meeting, Essa Yussef Essa Al Duhailan, the Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, and State Minister for Religion Md. Faridul Haque Khan were also present.