Mir Afroz Zaman

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan has been awarded the ‘Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence’ by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his special contribution to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

He was presented with the medal at a ceremony at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs Advisor M Towhid Hossain was the chief guest at the medal presentation ceremony. He said, Saudi Arabia is our trusted friend. Its 3 million expatriates are playing a special role in bringing remittances to Bangladesh. There is a strong bond between the two countries.

Investments between Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh - important areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy and finance - have further strengthened this bond. We have jointly taken important initiatives to ensure energy security and establish peace. Both countries have consistently stood united in supporting global stability and harmony. He also hoped that the relations between the two countries would further grow in the coming days. He congratulated the Saudi ambassador on receiving the 'Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence'.

Speaking at the event, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan said, "I express my gratitude to the Bangladesh government for awarding me the 'Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence'. This initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will further encourage the work of the ambassadors here. However, this is not just my achievement, but the fruit of the hard work of all the officials of my mission."

He said, Saudi Arabia welcomes Bangladeshis. In the last three years, the Saudi embassy has issued 2.2 million Bangladeshi worker visas. The embassy is issuing 7,000 visas every day. Besides, Bangladesh is an attractive area for Saudi investors. We want to move forward towards multifaceted relations beyond the Hajj and Umrah sector.

Speaking at the event, Foreign Secretary M Jasim Uddin said, Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations have now reached a new height. He also hoped that the relations between the two brotherly countries would be further strengthened in the future.

This is the first time that the 'Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence' has been awarded to any country. Ambassadors of various countries were present at the time.