The ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh, Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah, on Sunday expressed his government’s support to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government and their intention to work on enhancing the current bilateral ties to a comprehensive relationship.
During a courtesy call on foreign minister Khalilur Rahman at his foreign ministry office in the capital Dhaka, the Saudi envoy conveyed greetings from his government and expressed his commitment to further strengthening Saudi Arabia–Bangladesh bilateral relations.
‘He mentioned that in 2025, Saudi Arabia issued 7,50,000 work visas and altogether 1.4 million visas for Bangladeshi citizens. There is scope for skilled and semi-skilled workers to jobs in the kingdom as many development works are going on there,’ said a foreign ministry press release.
The Saudi ambassador earlier paid a courtesy call on prime minister Tarique Rahman at his Cabinet Division office in the secretariat in the capital.
Foreign minister Khalilur and the prime minister’s adviser, Humayun Kabir, were also present at the Saudi ambassador’s meeting with the PM.
Welcoming the ambassador, the foreign minister described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and long-standing partner of Bangladesh.
Khalilur recalled that diplomatic relations between the two countries began during the tenure of the late president Ziaur Rahman with the establishment of Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976, said the foreign ministry release.
Tarique Rahman, who became the prime minister of Bangladesh in the past week, is son of Ziaur Rahman.
Recalling Saudi Arabia’s support in facilitating the repatriation of about 2,00,000 Rohingyas in 1979 at the request of the then president Ziaur Rahman, the foreign minister appreciated the kingdom’s continued humanitarian assistance for the 1.2 million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh and sought its support for Rohingyas’ sustainable repatriation to their homeland Myanmar.
The Saudi envoy also called on state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam to greet her on her appointment.
The state minister appreciated the reform initiatives led by the Saudi Crown Prince under Saudi Vision 2030, the release mentioned.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations for mutual benefits.
