Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), through a joint task force, will work to protect Bangladeshi workers from fraud, making sure that no one is cheated.

He was speaking at an opinion exchange meeting with expatriates on Monday evening at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The foreign minister said there has been a fruitful discussion with the Saudi foreign minister regarding the joint task force to bring more transparency to manpower migration to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh and stop the harassment of workers by groups with vested interests.

The formation of the task force is a reflection of their goodwill in this regard, he said.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F Rahman delivered a speech as a special guest at the meeting.

Highlighting the overall picture of the country's development activities under the leadership of the Awami League government, Hasan Mahmud said, “The whole world is praising the incredible development and progress.”

“The daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is leading independent Bangladesh,” he said, adding that the Saudi government also praised Bangladesh’s growth under her leadership.

Stating that the contribution of expatriates to the national economy is immense and important, the foreign minister also talked about incentives for them to send remittances, account maintenance in foreign currency through online offshore banking management, universal pension facilities, and expatriates’ welfare.

He directed them to comply with the local laws and regulations and urged the expatriates to remain alert and proactive against anti-state propaganda.

Hasan also directed to improve the quality of consular services of the embassy.

Issues of recruitment of more skilled Bangladeshi professionals in Saudi Arabia, facilitation of Akama renewal, cultural exchange, direct flight from Chattogram to Riyadh, wage earners bond, health insurance for expatriates, arrangements for repatriation of deceased expatriates, legal assistance, passport renewal through embassy, NID correction, and family visa were also addressed.

Salman F Rahman highlighted various investment opportunities for expatriate Bangladeshis including offshore banking.

He called upon the expatriates living in Saudi Arabia to create public awareness so that Bangladeshis who want to go to Saudi Arabia do not fall victim to fraud.

He said the people who want to go to Saudi Arabia must verify things including recruiting companies before going to the country.

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday discussed ways to increase Saudi investments in special economic zones and offshore banking systems in Bangladesh.

The issues were discussed at the second Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Political Consultations held in Riyadh. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation.

The minister discussed with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud wide-ranging issues of regional and global development and bilateral, economic, manpower, and energy partnerships.

The high-level meeting was also attended by Salman F Rahman; Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) and Inspector General of Missions Md Nazrul Islam; Bangladesh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Md Javed Patwari; Director General (West Asia) Md Shafiqur Rahman; Director General (Foreign Minister's Office) Md Arif Nazmul Hasan, and Saudi officials.

They reviewed the entire spectrum of partnerships between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.