Saudi Arabia is keen to receive Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP, is paying an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 5-7 January 2016 at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir. The Foreign Minister was received and greeted by the Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Azzam Abdul Karim Al- Gain at the King Khalid International Airport on arrival in the evening of January 5.

Yesterday (6 January), Foreign Minister Ali held bilateral talks with Saudi Foreign Minister in Riyadh. The two Foreign Ministers reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest including mutual cooperation at the UN and other international fora including the OIC. Both expressed their firm resolve to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and extremism through meaningful cooperation.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to the Custodian of the two holy Mosques King Salman and proposed that Bangladesh Prime Minister may undertake a visit to the Kingdom at an early date preferably between March to May this year. Saudi Foreign Minister welcoming the visit, stated that the relations between the two brotherly countries is an excellent one for many years and conveyed that King Salman would be more than happy to receive her. Both the Ministers agreed to work on a number of instruments for cooperation on investment, culture and education, agriculture etc. ahead of the visit so that those could be signed during the visit. They also agreed to sign the MOU on Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister.

Saudi Foreign Minister lauded the role of Bangladesh community in the Kingdom which is contributing to economic development of both the nations. He also agreed to have further cooperation in recruiting more skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh including doctors and nurses. In this regard, both Foreign Ministers agreed that a delegation from Saudi Health Ministry may undertake a visit to Bangladesh to inspect the medical degrees and other facilities for future recruitment of Bangladeshi health professionals.

Referring to the recently held Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries and the decisions taken there, Bangladesh Foreign Minister further briefed about recent developments in Bangladesh as well as described pool of quality workers and world class export items such as RMG and pharmaceutical products for their possible export to the Kingdom. Saudi Foreign Minister was convinced that Saudi businessmen can explore further opportunities in trade and investment in Bangladesh and they can visit Bangladesh to see the facilities of pharmaceutical industry. Saudi Foreign Minister directed the concerned high officials of the Ministry present in the meeting to advise their embassy in Dhaka to issue business visa to Bangladeshi business men. Both agreed to work for opening of branches by Bangladeshi commercial banks in Saudi Arabia which would be helpful for boosting trade and investments between the countries. Bangladesh Foreign Minister proposed for cooperation between the respective training institutions of civil administration of both countries, which was welcomed by Saudi side. He requested his Saudi counterpart to assist in securing land for Bangladesh Community schools in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Saudi Foreign Minister responded that the matter is being examined by the Saudi Education Ministry.

Saudi Foreign Minister accepted the invitation of Bangladesh Foreign Minister to undertake a visit to Dhaka soon at a mutually convenient date.

In the meeting Deputy Foreign Ministers of different divisions of the Saudi Ministry were present. From Bangladesh side Ambassador Golam Moshi, Deputy Chief of Mission Nazrul Islam and Consul General, Jeddah Shahidul Karim and Director of Foreign Minister’s Office Asif Rahman were present.

The Foreign Minister is expected to have a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah tomorrow. Foreign Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on 8 January.
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