Bangladesh seeks deeper collaboration with Saudi Arabia on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia M. Delwar Hossain. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 February 2025
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Bangladesh seeks deeper collaboration with Saudi Arabia on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

  • Ambassador expresses gratitude to Kingdom for its support for the Rohingya’s safety and right to return home
  • Bangladeshi envoy discusses opportunities for cooperation in energy, trade and education

RIYADH: The newly-appointed Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia M. Delwar Hossain said his country seeks deeper collaboration with Riyadh to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Hossain said: “As far as our people are concerned, we have had a close relationship for centuries, but the state of Bangladesh was formed in 1971 and we established formal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1975. Since then, our relationship has been growing progressively.

“We are planning to jointly celebrate. It will not be just celebration events. We want to take advantage of this milestone event to take our relationship to a new high,” said the envoy.

“We are expecting some exchange of high level visits to further consolidate our relationship. We are planning joint events in Riyadh as well as in Dhaka to mark this milestone in our diplomatic ties. There will be some exchange of cultural troupes that will help in better understanding of each other’s culture, and for better bonding between our people.”

He continued: “Bangladesh has an overwhelming Muslim population and our people view Saudi Arabia as the host of the Two Holy Mosques — we need to come here to fulfill our religious obligations, and the King of Saudi Arabia is custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. So, we see Saudi Arabia from that perspective.”

Some think that the Saudi-Bangladeshi relationship is mainly based on human resource cooperation. But, he said, that is not the full truth.

“Of course, we have right now about 3.2 million people staying in this country. Apart from that we have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia in other sectors such as trade, investment, technical collaboration and Saudi assistance in infrastructure development in Bangladesh. In recent years our bilateral trade has witnessed considerable growth.”

Hossain said investment is significant. “We are in discussions, both at government and private level, to increase Saudi investment, and also some Bangladeshi investment in Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi companies are engaged in Bangladesh in different sectors, he said. Saudi company Red Sea Gateway is managing one seaport terminal, and other companies are interested in getting involved in managing key installations in Bangladesh.

“Until now we had mostly unskilled workers. Our target is now to bring some skilled workers, so that we can be a proud part of the ongoing development projects in the Kingdom,” said Hossain.

“We have a huge pool of professionals and wish to bring them here as there is vast employment prospects emerging from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, including mega projects like NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya, Amala, and Diriyah developments.

“We have a good relationship in the energy sector. We recently had a discussion at the ministerial level to further strengthen our energy cooperation. We are thinking of something big with Saudi Arabia. We are becoming an energy hub — first we want to cater our national requirement and then aim to fulfill demand of some neighboring countries. We are hoping to come up with something concrete in the near future. It’s not just energy, we are also talking about the whole range of petrochemicals and fertilizers. There could be one or two joint ventures in fertilizers in Saudi Arabia,” said the ambassador.

“Our aim is to foster deep collaboration in the energy and agriculture sectors, to be more specific, and also further strengthen relationships in education and training, including information technology. Right now we have about 1,500 Bangladeshi students studying at Saudi universities on scholarships. We are hoping that more scholarships will be in place in the near future.”

On Bangladesh signing a Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for this year, the ambassador said: “This year it’s about 87,000. We have concluded the agreement in January this year for a smooth Hajj experience for Bangladeshi pilgrims.”

He also addressed Saudi support for the Rohingya people. “We are currently hosting about 1.5 million Rohingyas from Myanmar. To ensure their living conditions, we need help from the international community, and the Saudi government is very generous in taking part in humanitarian operations for those oppressed people.

“We are very much grateful to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and for their overwhelming support, not only in humanitarian assistance, but also within international fora for the return and life of these people in their motherland, Myanmar,” said the ambassador.

“Saudi Arabia is extending wholehearted support for the resolution of the Rohingya crisis and also in humanitarian assistance, giving the stay in Bangladesh,” he added.

“We are thankful to the Saudi leadership. We have an excellent relationship with Saudi Arabia that is expanding rapidly. We work very closely with Saudi Arabia on many regional and global issues, within the UN and other regional and global forums, particularly under the aegis of OIC.”


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 07 June 2025
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Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

Updated 07 June 2025
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Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

  • Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app — developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, played a “key role” on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, helping to guide more than 35,000 Hajj pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The app “highlights the ministry’s commitment to using technology for smooth pilgrim movement and effective crowd management at the holy sites, reflecting integrated technical and operational services during Hajj,” the SPA wrote.

Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals. With direct links to 25 government agencies and 10 private sector entities, Nusuk — a part of the ministry’s digital-transformation drive in line with Vision 2030 — “has become a comprehensive platform for the pilgrim journey,” the SPA reported.

For this year’s Hajj, the ministry added more than 30 new services to the app, including Nusuk AI — a digital assistant that provides guidance and responds to pilgrims’ inquiries via voice and text in multiple languages.

 


Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

  • Prince Mohammed made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday reaffirmed “the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences” of Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza.

He made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, he said.

“We reaffirm the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.”

The crown prince was speaking during a meeting with Eid Al-Adha well-wishers at the Royal Court in Mina Palace.

“God Almighty has honored this country with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims, Umrah performers and other guests,” he said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia places this sacred duty at the forefront of its priorities, harnessing all its capabilities to serve the guests of God and ensuring that they are able to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The crown prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, recognizing both the great honor and the immense trust it entails.

“We ask God Almighty to perpetuate security and stability in our country, in all Muslim countries and across the world,” he said.

“May He accept the Hajj of the pilgrims to the House of God and return them safely to their families.”


MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

Updated 07 June 2025
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MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

  • They discussed a variety of topics of common interest

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-hair Shukri to discuss “a variety of topics of common interest,” the MWL wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh recently met with the Malaysian delegation of Islamic leaders participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

  • Two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Saturday with President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations and expand cooperation between their countries across various fields, SPA added.

The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to bolster Saudi-Maldivian ties and explore new avenues for partnership.

A number of senior Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From the Maldivian side, the delegation included several ministers including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel.

The high-level talks come as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen engagement with nations across South Asia, in line with its broader diplomatic and economic outreach initiatives.

Also on Saturday, Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. (SPA)

They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to discussing overall relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, SPA reported.