United News of Bangladesh

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Monday urged the Saudi government to recruit more skilled workers from Bangladesh ahead of the World Expo 2030, the FIFA World Cup 2034 and other mega events and infrastructure projects.The adviser came up with the request during a bilateral meeting with Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the 7th Global Summit on Occupational Health and Safety, held in Riyadh. Bangladesh National Football Team returns home from KSAHe also proposed verifying employers' capacities and job availability before issuing work visas, signing employment contracts online prior to departure and introducing special pre-departure training courses for both male and female workers, which would cover Saudi labour laws, work culture, and essential information.Besides, he invited the Saudi authorities to visit Technical Training Centres (TTCs) in Bangladesh and expressed interest in designating one or more TTCs exclusively for training Saudi-bound workers.He also suggested sending Bangladeshi trainers to Saudi Arabia for advanced technical and language training so that they can later deliver high-quality training back home. Foreign Adviser leaves for KSA to attend OIC meetingAsif Nazrul also reaffirmed his ministry's commitment to reducing the training duration for domestic workers and showed interest in implementing Saudi Arabia's integrated training program for domestic workers from various countries.He emphasised training female domestic workers in Arabic language skills and use of modern household appliances. “The workers would undergo one month of training prior to visa issuance and complete a short refresher course within two weeks of receiving their visas before departing for Saudi Arabia,” he said.He expressed appreciation for the formation of a working team involving officials from the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and the Bangladesh Embassy to address the specific challenges faced by undocumented Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, as discussed in the January 30 meeting.He also mentioned the recent formation of a high-powered task force to tackle issues related to irregular recruitment and undocumented workers in line with the latest Foreign Office Consultations. Asif Nazrul, also the Law Adviser, expressed hope that both the working team and the task force would play vital roles in resolving the issues faced by Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia. Speaking as a panelist at the Global Summit, held at the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, the Adviser identified key challenges faced by developing countries in ensuring occupational health and safety, including limited resources, lack of skilled manpower and advanced technology, weak law enforcement, and resistance from influential entities.He called upon the International Labour Organization (ILO) and developed countries to take leading roles in protecting the health and social security of undocumented and informal migrant workers worldwide.He also reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to expanding decent employment opportunities, linking education with industry and ensuring the occupational well-being of migrant workers.He informed the Saudi Deputy Minister on the upcoming 15th Joint Commission and 5th Joint Technical Committee meetings, scheduled for October 8–9 in Dhaka and extended an invitation for a visit to Bangladesh at a convenient time.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday said trade is the most important vehicle for economic development, not aid or grants. “We have very excellent relationships with Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea and other countries that are coming in a big way for our economic development,” he said while speaking at a report launching ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the chief guest. Referring to Samsung investment issue, the Finance Adviser said Samsung came in the past to invest but were not welcomed and they went to Vietnam. He said Bangladesh is paying the price now as a lot of wrong policies were taken in the past. Govt trying to make things easy for investors: Foreign Adviser He said many countries are proposing free trade agreements (FTAs) with Bangladesh and the country needs to remain prepared. The Finance Adviser said the government will do everything, and the private sector will just take the opportunity. “Private sector has to be very competitive, efficient, and also perform their job.” “One thing very clearly I have said - subsidies, cheap money and low interest rate – those days are gone ... .these are not the signs of a competitive economy,” he said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled the comprehensive report titled “Enhancing Saudi-Bangladesh Economic Engagement, Trends, Key Challenges & Long-term Growth Prospects,” prepared under its initiative with research support from Policy Exchange, a private policy think tank based in Dhaka. The report documented by Policy Exchange under the leadership of Dr M Masrur Reaz, offered in-depth insights and analyses into the potential economic engagements between Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin presided over the session. KSA revises fees for visa, Iqama renewals Speaking as special guest, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain reaffirmed the interim government’s dedication to streamlining processes to facilitate investment in Bangladesh, signaling a renewed commitment to removing barriers for foreign investors. The Finance Adviser echoed this sentiment by sharing ongoing reform initiatives in Bangladesh aimed at creating an investor-friendly environment. Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin reflected on the shared historical linkages and values between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia while calling for enhanced engagements among the businessmen and relevant stakeholders in areas of mutual economic cooperation. Saudi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan highlighted Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for Bangladesh while acknowledging challenges previously faced by Saudi investors. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering a stronger economic partnership. The ceremony witnessed participation from key officials representing BIDA, ERD, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Finance, along with prominent business leaders, members of the media, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Saudi’s Aramco willing to build refinery in Bangladesh Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided the audience with the background and context of the report, emphasising its significance in strengthening Saudi-Bangladesh relations. This was followed by a presentation of the salient features of the report by Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Dr M Masrur Reaz.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior's Absher Business platform has updated fees for seven services available to establishments. The fee for extending an exit and reentry visa has been revised to SR103.5. The renewed fees for residency permit (Iqama) renewals and final exit are now SR51.75 and SR70, respectively, reports Gulf News . Besides, the fee for issuing an Iqama is SR51.75, while the cost for requesting an employee report is SR28.75. Expatriates will now pay SR69 for updating passport information. Absher Business clarified on its X (formerly Twitter) account that these fees apply to value-added services specifically for those implemented through the Absher Business platform. Bangladesh seeks roadmap from Malaysia for stranded workers They are not part of the annual subscription package for employers. The Absher platform has recently introduced several new services, including one through the Absher Individuals platform, allowing host individuals to report absconding cases for visitors who entered Saudi Arabia on a visitor visa. Absher outlined five conditions for submitting an absconding report: the visitor's visa must be a personal or family visit visa; the report can only be filed seven days after the visa expires; reports cannot be submitted more than 14 days after the visa expiration; the visa status must be expired; and only one report can be filed per visitor. Once submitted, the report cannot be cancelled.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has said they want to streamline the recruitment process with "fairness and transparency" as the Kingdom is committed to ensuring that Bangladeshi workers continue to be "valued and integral members" of Saudi Arabia’s labour market. "Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to strengthening this vital cooperation. As part of this commitment, we aim to streamline the recruitment process, ensuring fairness and transparency for both workers and employers," a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development told UNB. He said Bangladeshi expatriates have been an integral part of Saudi Arabia's workforce for decades, bringing their skills and dedication to a range of sectors in the Saudi labor market. Their contributions complement the local workforce, fuelling the Kingdom’s development and enriching their social fabric, said the spokesperson. Today, he mentioned, Saudi Arabia is home to over two million Bangladeshi expatriate workers and they deeply value the contributions they bring to their society. Looking forward to next year with hopes for a better Bangladesh: Foreign Secretary "We are fully committed to protecting their welfare, upholding their rights, and offering them wide-ranging opportunities to develop and grow their careers," said the spokesperson. The Labor Reform Initiative (LRI) of 2021 marked a significant milestone in this commitment, aimed at creating a more transparent, fair, and equitable labor market, said the Saudi government. By promoting job mobility and enhancing contractual relationships, the KSA said, the LRI has empowered expatriate workers across the Kingdom, setting new standards in the labor sector. The Wage Protection System (WPS) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial rights of workers by electronically tracking and ensuring the timely payment of wages in line with agreed contracts. The system applies strict penalties to employers who fail to comply," said the Spokesperson. ‘Fighting my own shadow,’ says energy adviser about bureaucratic challenges The WPS is now fully operational across all establishments, covering even those with as few as one employee, providing a comprehensive layer of protection for both Bangladeshi workers and the broader expatriate workforce. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan, during his recent meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin in Dhaka recalled the invaluable contributions of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the Saudi economy and society, praising them as diligent and hardworking. The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka is issuing a good number of visas every day, which is adding up to the workforces employed in Saudi Arabia. Workshop on financial inclusion, rural transformation towards achieving SDGs begins The Ambassador expressed eagerness to recruit more workers, especially skilled and trained workforce to support its ambitious initiatives like ‘Green Saudi Initiative’ and mega projects under the Kingdom Vision 2030. Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia underscored the necessity of maintaining continuous engagement between the two governments, including political consultations and the high-level Joint Economic Commission (JEC) as well as the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on Manpower between the two countries.

Muslim devotees from across the world are coming into Saudi Arabia in large numbers taking advantage of the holy month of Ramadan contributing to huge crowd at the two holiest cities- Makkah and Madinah. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is witnessing a growing number of Umrah pilgrims from countries around the world, including from Bangladesh, since the beginning of Ramadan. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, offers the best weather, and this holy month, dedicated to prayer, self-reflection, and religious devotion, also traditionally marks the peak season to perform Umrah. Though Makkah is well-known for its excessive hot days, surprisingly, this March offers a pleasant weather. Thousands of Muslim devotees offered their Jummah prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Friday (March 15), the first Jummah of Ramadan. All the floors of the Grand Mosque and its adjacent courtyards were full of devotees, and the rows of devotees spilled over to the streets of the Central Haram area. Many of the Muslims offered Jummah from their respective hotels, which are connected with the Grand Mosque through audio transmission. Meanwhile, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approved hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from countries around the world during the year 2024. The guests representing the fourth and final batch of 2024, which includes 250 prominent Islamic Umrah pilgrims, male and female, representing 16 countries from the continents of Europe and Asia, are visitng the kingdom to perform Umrah. Read more: Saudi Arabia offers Nusuk platform for Bangladeshi visitors to increase accessibility and simplify Umrah Journey Islamic scholars, journalists, students, and influencers like the founder and CEO of 10 Minute School, Ayman Sadiq; and author, speaker, English teacher Munzereen Shahid are among the Bangladesh delegation members. "To be honest, I feel so lucky. I knew about the stories of these historical places. Now I had the opportunity to see in my own eyes," said Munzereen Shahid. She said there is no language barrier or cultural divide here. "I see an extraordinary unity among people. I have a desire to come again," said Munzereen who performed her first Umrah together with her husband Ayman Sadiq. "Had the honor of visiting the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex in Madinah, where millions of copies of the Holy Quran are printed every year. Madinah is peaceful," Ayman shared his experience of visiting the historic place in Madinah before performing Umrah. Talking to UNB, Musa Takai from New Zealand said, "It is quite unimaginable. I am grateful to Almighty Allah first and then to the Royal family for giving us this opportunity to perform Umrah." ​Musa expressed his sincere thanks and great appreciation to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and the crown prince for graciously hosting him to perform Umrah. He added that the kingdom always provides care and attention to the guests of Allah providing integrated services and stressed that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah and Visitation Program is a wonderful model.

In a decisive statement released by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday (February 07, 2024), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has clarified its stance to the United States regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel. The Saudi Foreign Ministry articulated that such relations depend upon the recognition of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital. This announcement underscores the kingdom’s unwavering position on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the necessity for the Palestinian people to secure their legitimate rights. Read more: ICJ should work to achieve its goal: Palestine Ambassador The statement further demanded an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the area. This stance was conveyed amidst discussions on the Arab-Israeli peace process, particularly in response to comments attributed to the US National Security Spokesperson. Saudi Arabia also renewed its appeal to the permanent members of the UN Security Council, urging those who have not yet recognized the Palestinian state to do so promptly. The goal is to ensure that the Palestinian people attain their legitimate rights and to pave the way for a comprehensive and just peace for all parties involved. This development comes in the wake of White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby’s remarks on Tuesday, indicating optimistic signals that Saudi Arabia and Israel are open to continuing normalization discussions. The move would follow in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia’s Gulf neighbors, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. Read more: Silencing Palestinian perspectives: CNN staff criticize network’s pro-Israel bias

During a recent trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Salman Fazlur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Private Industry and Investment, sought extended credit terms to alleviate Bangladesh's pressing dollar crisis. This request was made to facilitate longer payment periods for fuel imports from Saudi Arabia, a critical concern given the current financial constraints. In a press briefing held on Tuesday (February 06, 2024) at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) building upon his return, Rahman shared insights from his three-day visit. “Currently, we have a 45-day window to settle payments for fuel imports from Saudi Arabia. Given the dollar scarcity, extending this to a year would greatly benefit us. The Saudi officials have agreed to consider this proposal,” Rahman disclosed. Rahman represented Bangladesh at the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) meeting, emphasizing Bangladesh’s firm stance against terrorism and the misuse of Islam to justify such acts. “Terror has no religion, and by fostering cooperation among Islamic nations through the IMCTC, we aim to combat the defamation of Islam by terrorism,” he stated. Read: President urges KSA to invest more in Bangladesh The advisor highlighted the unanimous condemnation of the ongoing crises in Gaza by meeting participants, alongside a collective call for resolution. The plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh was also addressed, with a commitment to seek solutions. On the economic front, Rahman revealed Saudi investors’ interest in establishing a special economic zone in Bangladesh. “We are keen to allocate an economic zone to Saudi Arabia within Bangladesh. Their investment minister has shown enthusiasm for this project,” Rahman noted. Additionally, plans are underway to bolster Bangladesh’s agricultural sector through the joint establishment of a urea fertilizer plant in Saudi Arabia. “This collaboration aims to ensure a steady supply of fertilizers, enhancing our agricultural output. The proposal has been warmly received, with a feasibility study due to conclude by March,” he explained, highlighting the opportunity for private sector involvement alongside government-to-government initiatives. Read more: KSA's Majlish E Shura Council President Abdullah arrives in Dhaka

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (January 31, 2024) agreed to take the existing excellent bilateral relations to a higher level. This was expressed when President of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibraheem Al Sheikh called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhwat Moon briefed reporters after the call on. Moon said that Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia share a rich and longstanding historical relationship rooted in religious, cultural, and economic bonds. She Informed that for Bangladeshi Muslims, Saudi Arabia holds a special place in their hearts being the birthplace of Islam and the two holiest sites, Makkah, and Madinah. “Thousands of Bangladeshis perform the Holy Haji and the Umrah for religious purposes,” she said. KSA's Majlish E Shura Council President Abdullah arrives in Dhaka The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the recent development activities, reforms, and emerging role of Saudi Arabia on the global front under the visionary leadership of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Prime Minister and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman. Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Muhammad congratulated the prime minister on her reelection. He mentioned that Saudi Arabia was always with Bangladesh and it has a historical long lasting relationship. He lauded visionary leadership of the prime ninister for the unprecedented development of Bangladesh. KSA keen to enhance trade with Bangladesh in food, energy, logistics, and manufacturing sectors : FBCCI “Prime Minister’s leadership is exemplary and imitable,” Shakhwat Moon quoted President of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as saying. He also conveyed the greetings of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the prime minister. Welcoming the greetings, Sheikh Hasina also greeted the Crown Prince. PM’s Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present. Read more: Saudi Arabia sends 400 tons of sacrificial meat for Bangladesh

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has sent 400 tons of sacrificial meat for the people of Bangladesh. This is intended to be distributed across the entire country, reaching communities in need through the Ministry of the Disaster Management and Relief. Envoys of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and others congratulate PM Hasina The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh on Tuesday said it came as a generous gesture of goodwill and solidarity. On Monday, a portion of sacrificial meat provided by the Saudi government was distributed to benefit hundreds of families in Sadar upazila, Sylhet, with specific allocations to various orphanages affiliated with Madrasahs. Saudi Arabia executes 2 Bangladeshis for killing an Indian  Upon the directives from Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh, the distribution was supervised by Abdullah Khaled A Alqahtani, Head of Media and Cultural Affairs of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dhaka, and Ahmed Abduldaem A Alhattari, the official project representative of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah. Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Saudi Arabia and UAE, host of COP28 climate talks The supervisory team included key officials such as Upazila Executive Officer Nasreen Akhtar, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin, and the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Project Implementation Officer.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh wants to import petroleum from Saudi Arabia at a relatively lower price. He conveyed such interest when Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa Bin Youssef Al-Dahilan met him at his office in the ministry on Thursday. Read more: Bangladesh plans to import 5.46 million MT of petroleum in 2023 “We are also interested in purchasing the fuel on deferred payment,” he told the Saudi envoy. During the meeting they discussed various issues related to mutual interest and also possible solutions to the energy crisis in Bangladesh. Welcoming the Saudi ambassador he said Bangladesh wants to strengthen trade relations with the brotherly nation. Read more: Country has adequate stocks of petroleum fuel: Energy Division The Saudi ambassador said that the interest of Saudi companies in investing in power and energy sector in Bangladesh is growing. ACWA Power Company of Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with a plan to invest $1.5 billion in Bangladesh, he mentioned.