Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, assured to take necessary measures to facilitate iqama transfer of Bangladeshi workforce in the Kingdom.This was stated to Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, MP while she called on this morning with the Crown Prince and Deputy Premier in Jeddah and requested the Crown Prince to allow Bangladesh workforce to transfer their iqamas.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister is paying a two-day bilateral visit to Saudi Arabia from May 4-5, 2013. The Crown Prince and Deputy Premier welcomed the visit and termed the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations a special one which is deep rooted in the history, common faith, culture and traditions.
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni appreciated the support extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Government towards Bangladesh over the years, particularly in hours of crises.
She also appreciated the recent announcement of the King to provide three months’ grace period for those affected by the NITAQAT programme to rectify and regularise their employment status.
The Crown Prince also highlighted the importance of streamlining manpower sector in Saudi Arabia including having legal status by all foreign workers including Bangladesh nationals.
He appreciated the role of Bangladesh workers in the kingdom and assured to extend all necessary support to them to regularize their employment status.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister hoped that the Saudi team who recently visited Bangladesh to see the migration process would submit a positive report to the Saudi government and more Bangladesh workforce will be recruited in future. She also apprised the whole process of migration in Bangladesh where due importance is given to transparency and reduction of migration cost.
The Crown Prince also underscored the importance of workers with necessary skills and good behaviour. Bangladesh Foreign Minister handed over a letter from Bangladesh Prime Minister addressed to the King of Saudi Arabia where a special request has been made to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to allow transfer of iqamas for Bangladesh workers who have been working in the Kingdom.
Later Bangladesh Foreign Minister met Saudi Foreign Minister His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal at his office and discussed entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Saudi Foreign Minister also assured to look into the request of iqama transfer for Bangladesh workforce in the Kingdom. Saudi Foreign Minister underscored the importance of regularisation of work permit by Bangladesh nationals and hoped that all Bangladesh nationals who are working here would obtain that.
Both Foreign Ministers agree to work closely at UN, OIC and other international organisations. Bangladesh Foreign Minister expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for extending their support at the UN Human Rights Council during the presentation of Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights situation in Bangladesh.
They agree to enhance bilateral relations in the areas of investment cooperation, trade, education and agriculture. Signing of the investment cooperation agreement between the two countries was also stressed upon in the meeting to have the opportunity for investment.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister urged Saudi Foreign Minister to invest in the power sector as this sector is critically important for Bangladesh. She appreciated the continuing support by Saudi Arabia for project financing through Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Saudi Foreign Minister underscored the interaction at Joint Economic Commission and Joint Business Council for investment cooperation and hoped that Saudi entrepreneurs would come forward to invest in Bangladesh.
Enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries was also discussed; particularly export of quality pharmaceutical products, readymade garments (RMG) and ceramics from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia was highlighted by Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
She also apprised the Saudi Foreign Minister about the recent political developments in Bangladesh and informed him that the Government of Bangladesh is committed to maintain law and order in the country and there would be free and fair elections in the end of this year or early next year.
Saudi Foreign Minister hoped to visit Bangladesh soon in response to the invitation extended by the Bangladesh Foreign Minister.
Dr Dipu Moni also met Saturday the Saudi Minister of Labour Engineer Adel bin Muhammad Fakeih at his office and discussed at length about the manpower related issues including transfer of iqamas by Bangladesh workers.
Saudi Labour Minister was positive towards the Bangladesh workers and assured to facilitate regularisation of Bangladesh workers. He indicated that within a short time there will be good news for Bangladesh workers who have been facing problems in transferring their iqamas.
Foreign Minister mentioned about the recent visit of a Saudi manpower delegation and hoped that with their positive report Saudi government will decide recruiting more manpower from Bangladesh.
Saudi Labour Minister underscored the transparent mechanism of recruitment process with online verification by all parties involved in the process. Bangladesh Foreign Minister apprised him about whole migration process in Bangladesh where the government has introduced three-tier screening process, issuance of MRP and reduction of migration cost. She also highlighted the recent development of migration process through government to government collaboration such as with Malaysia.
She also met the OIC Secretary-General designate Dr Iyad bin Amin Madani of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah and discussed different issues under the OIC where Bangladesh can play an active role to revitalise the Organisation.
Dr Madani appreciated the role of Bangladesh in the OIC and hoped to work together for the betterment of Muslim Ummah in the coming days. banglanews24.com
