Staff Correspondent

A food basket distribution programme ahead of holy Ramadan was inaugurated by Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh Essa Youssef Easa Ali Duhailan for the Rohingyas and the needy people in various districts at a function at Royal Saudi Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.

The programme is funded by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Saudi Arabia.

Bangladeshi voluntary organization Sunbulah Welfare Association (SWA) is implementing the programme of distribution of 10,000 packets for Rohingyas and 31,700 packets for the poor in different districts.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Project Director Abdur Rahman Zeben, Foreign Ministry Director Nafisa Monsur, Chairman of Sunbullah Welfare Association (SWA) Dr Mohammad Shakir Hossain also spoke at the inauguration programme. Vice Chairman Brigadier General (Retd) ABM Golam Mustafa.

The ambassador of Saudi Arabia said that the friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh have deepened.

The Saudi government is interested in investing more in various sectors including electricity and energy for the development of Bangladesh. He expressed optimism that the food basket distribution programme will play a role in socio-economic development.

He said, Hajj visa has been simplified. The Saudi government has taken necessary measures so that the pilgrims do not face any problem.

Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nafisa Monsur praised Saudi government's commitment to investing in Bangladesh. She called for more such programmes including food baskets for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

Chairman of Sunbulah Welfare Association (SWA) Dr Shakir Hossain said that the food basket distribution programme is being funded by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. It will play an important role in the implementation of SDG targets in Bangladesh on the occasion of Holy Ramadan.

This food basket distribution program will be implemented with integrity. I hope the Saudi government will take more such human welfare programs.

Vice Chairman of Sunbullah Welfare Association (SWA) Brigadier General (Retd) ABM Golam Mustafa said, Bangladesh has a long-standing friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia. Food basket distribution program will play a role in poverty alleviation, he said.