DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Saudi Arabia this evening (May 20) to join the ‘Arab Islamic American Summit’.

The summit will be held in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Sunday (May 21).   

She along with her entourage will board a VIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to Riyadh.

The diplomats and the international affairs analysts see strategic importance of Sheikh Hasina’s Saudi visit.

Former foreign affairs minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury told Bangalnews that the visit has significance this time. The visit will play important role for enhancing bilateral and multilateral ties of Bangladesh with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries.

Former ambassador Humayun Kabir said that the Bangladesh’s representation in such a summit where state chiefs and government chiefs of many countries will join is an important event.

During her visit, Sheikh Hasina is expected to place a number of proposals in the summit on how to work together to face the global challenges of terrorism and militancy. She will highlight Bangladesh's firm position against terrorism and militancy.

She will also talk about the labor market of Bangladesh in Saudi Arabia.

The PM was invited to attend the summit by Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

US President Donald Trump, among others, will attend the summit. Sheikh Hasina is expected to hold meetings with Donald Trump, Saudi King and others in sideline of the summit.

The PM will also perform Umrah during her visit in Saudi Arabia. She will return to the country on May 23.

BDST: 1750 HRS, MAY 20, 2017
EHJ