DHAKA: Saudi King and Custodian of two Holy Mosques Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said the ties between his country and Bangladesh have improved a lot and mentioned that there are scopes to further strengthen the collaboration in the fields of economy, culture and defence and security.

“We are jointly fighting against terrorism,” the King said in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hoped that it will continue and it’s the reflection of common aspiration of the people of the two brotherly countries.

When the prime minister proposed for boosting cooperation in different sectors including defence, the King termed those proposals as appropriate.

“We will take steps in this regard after discussion at the official level,” the King said.

The prime minister said a huge number of Bangladeshis are working in Saudi Arabia and thanked the Saudi government for their look after in this regard. The King said the Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia are making huge contributions to the Saudi economy.

The prime minister invited the Saudi King to visit Bangladesh.

The King highly appreciated Bangladesh’s tremendous development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and stressed the need for continuity of her (Sheikh Hasina) government.

“If the continuity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is maintained, the relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh will be further improved and development will be made on all sides,” Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque quoted the King while briefing reporters after the King’s meeting with the prime minister Wednesday (Oct 17).

BDST: 0948 HRS, OCT 18, 2018
SI