Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia pledged to work together for global peace, development and welfare

"The Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) and the Saudi King agreed to work together to explore the potentials of cooperation that exists in the fields of development, trade and commerce as well as increasing people-to-people contact between the two countries," foreign secretary Md Shahidul Haque told a news briefing after an hour-long meeting between the two leaders.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim also joined him briefing the newsmen after the talks at Al Salam Palace at Al Andalus in Jeddah here on Sunday afternoon.

They said the talks were held in a very warm and cordial atmosphere where entire gamut of bilateral interest, regional and international issues was discussed and reviewed.

The Bangladesh Premier is now in Saudi Arabia on a five-day official at the invitation of the Saudi King.

During the talks, the foreign secretary said, the Saudi King told the Bangladesh Premier that his country "considers Bangladesh as a top Islamic country" and "Bangladesh is also an important country in the Muslim world".

"The Saudi King uttered this word twice," Haque said, adding that the king also acknowledged Dhaka of playing a big role in world peace, progress and development.

The King, he said, appreciated Bangladesh's decision to join the Islamic alliance to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

"There are two parts in this concept (alliance) -- one militarily and other politically - it entirely depends on Bangladesh which part it . . . it is not mandatory, it's voluntarily. We are only happy over Bangladesh's joining in the alliance," Haque quoted the King as saying.

Reviewing Sheikh Hasina's Saudi visit, the foreign secretary said it not only opened up a new chapter in the field of bilateral ties but also took the relationship to a new height.

"A comprehensive relationship has developed through the tour of the Premier which we did not see earlier," Haque said adding that the tour gained more significance as Dhaka was committed to work with Saudi Arabia for promoting peace, stability and development of the world.

The two leaders, he said, raised a strong voice against terrorism and violent extremism through Islamic alliance during the talks.

The foreign secretary and press secretary said the two leaders also made a commitment to work together to remove instability and insecurity that now exist in the world.

The Saudi King said that his country values the participation of Bangladesh in the Islamic alliance and through this a far-reaching strategic relationship has been developed between the two countries.

The Prime Minister said there is a special place of Saudi Arabia in the heart of Bangladesh as the two holy mosques exist in Makkah and Madina and Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

She said: "We will have to work to reach the real message of Islam so that none can gain benefit by misinterpreting Islam." In this connection, she told the King that she wants to build 560 Islamic centres across the country to spread the message of peace of Islam among all. "Through this we want to establish a peaceful, progressive and harmonious Bangladesh," the PM said.

In reply, the Saudi King expressed happiness over the concept of Sheikh Hasina in establishing Islamic centres. "We are very happy over her concept and we want to cooperate in this regard," the King said, adding that he would send senior ministers to Bangladesh to see the matter.

The Premier mentioned the establishment of Islamic Arabic University in Dhaka and said through this she wants to promote Islam, culture and Arabic language in true spirit among the students of the university to remove worldwide propaganda against Islam.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has already developed digital version of the holy Quran in Bangla, Arabic and English languages so that the younger generation could learn the Quran easily.

Listening this, the King became very happy and assured Bangladesh of extending cooperation in this regard, the foreign secretary and press secretary said.

While talking about her government's development strides, the Prime Minister said her government took initiative for setting up 100 special economic zones for further industrialization and generating massive employment.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said that her government would allocate a number of economic zones for Saudi investors if they come up with investment. The Saudi investors can invest in the fields of agro-processing, power, energy and IT sectors in the zones, she said.

The Prime Minister also sought Saudi support in establishing a multimodal transport system in Dhaka to ease traffic congestion of the mega city.

In reply, the King said it's a good proposal and assured of extending cooperation to this end.

The Saudi King also highly appreciated Bangladesh's socioeconomic uplift under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The foreign secretary said the issue of recruiting skilled and non-skilled Bangladeshi manpower by the Saudi government came up for the discussion.

The Prime Minister invited the Saudi King to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. Accepted the invitation, the King said he is keen to visit Bangladesh.

The foreign secretary said the King showed a unique gesture to the Premier after the talks as he directed the information minister to escort Sheikh Hasina up to Royal Conference Palace, the place of residence of the PM.

While escorting the Prime Minister, he said, the Saudi information minister said Sheikh Hasina is an example of women empowerment in the Muslim world also an instance of the entire Muslim leadership.

Shahidul Haque said an agreement on foreign office consultation between the two countries was signed after the talks between the foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister witnessed the signing of the deal.

Describing the visit of the Premier to Saudi Arabia as very successful and fruitful, the foreign secretary said through the visit, the leadership of Sheikh Hasina got another big global recognition, for which Bangladesh is proud.

Through the visit, he said, a new era of Bangladesh's relationship has been initiated not only with Saudi Arabia but also with the Muslim world.

Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Masih and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at the talks between the Bangladesh Premier and the Saudi King.

Later, Saudi Finance Minister Dr Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Asaf called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Royal Palace Hotel, the foreign secretary said.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol