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Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have expressed keen interest in taking the existing bilateral relations to to a new level.
A meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and visiting President of the Shura Council of Saudia Arabia Dr Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibraheem Al Sheikh at the Ganabhaban on Wednesday also took the stock of longstanding relationship between Dhaka and Riyadh.
Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhwat Moon briefed the reporters after the meeting.
According to Moon, the Bangladesh prime minister said Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia share a rich and longstanding historical relationship rooted in religious, cultural, and economic bonds.
She said Saudi Arabia, being the birthplace of Islam and having two holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah, has a special place in the hearts of Bangladeshis.
"Thousands of Bangladesh people perform the Holy Hajj and the Umrah for religious purposes," she added.
The prime minister also expressed satisfaction over the recent development activities, reforms, and emerging role of Saudi Arabia on the global issues under the visionary leadership of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During the meeting, Dr Ibraheem Al Sheikh said Saudi Arabia was always with Bangladesh and it has historical long-lasting relationship with Dhaka.
He lauded the leadership of Sheikh Hasina for the development of Bangladesh.
PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.