Dhaka: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy visit to Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Bangladesh Secretariat, emphasizing the commitment to deepen the bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, key topics such as manpower export, expansion of trade and commerce, and preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections were discussed. A Home Ministry press release detailed these discussions and highlighted the invitation extended by the ambassador for Bangladesh’s participation in the forthcoming World Defense Show in Riyadh.
Welcoming the Saudi envoy, the Home Adviser underscored the strong ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, noting the special significance of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh due to religious and expatriate community ties. He acknowledged the vital role Bangladeshi expatriates play in the economy and urged Saudi Arabia to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh, which could further solidify the bilateral relationship.
The adviser also brought attention to the disparity between passport enrollment attendance and the number of applications, an issue communicated to the Saudi Interior Minister. On the topic of national elections, he stated that while the Election Commission is primarily responsible for conducting the polls, the Home Ministry is tasked with maintaining order and is fully prepared, with specialized training for law enforcement agencies already implemented.
Efforts to recover illegal and looted weapons are being intensified, with ongoing security operations such as Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 in place. The ambassador extended an invitation for the adviser to attend the World Defense Show in 2026, but due to Bangladesh’s national election coinciding with the event, the adviser expressed his inability to attend but assured that a representative would be sent.