<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a joint taskforce will work to protect Bangladeshis workers going to Saudi Arabia from fraud, making sure that no one is cheated.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was speaking at an opinion exchange meeting with expatriates on Monday evening at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Foreign Minister said there has been a fruitful discussion with the Saudi Foreign Minister regarding the joint taskforce to bring more transparency to manpower migration to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh and stop the harassment of workers by groups with vested interest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The formation of the taskforce is a reflection of their goodwill in this regard, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F. Rahman delivered speech as special guest at the meeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Foreign Minister Hasan highlighted the overall picture of the country's development activities under the leadership of the Awami League government and said, "The whole world is praising the incredible development and progress."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is leading independent Bangladesh,” he said, adding that the Saudi government also praised Bangladesh’s growth under her leadership.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stating that the contribution of expatriates to the national economy is immense and important, Hasan Mahmud also talked about incentives for them to send remittances, account maintenance in foreign currency through online offshore banking management, universal pension facilities, and expatriates’ welfare.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The minister directed them to comply with the local laws and regulations and urged the expatriates to remain alert and proactive against anti-state propaganda.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also directed to improve the quality of consular services of the embassy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Issues of recruitment of more skilled Bangladeshi professionals in Saudi Arabia, facilitation of Akama renewal, cultural exchange, direct flight from Chattogram to Riyadh, wage earners bond, health insurance for expatriates, arrangements for repatriation of deceased expatriates, legal assistance, passport renewal through embassy, NID correction, and family visa were also addressed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F. Rahman highlighted various investment opportunities for expatriate Bangladeshis including offshore banking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He called upon the expatriates living in Saudi Arabia to create public awareness so that Bangladeshis who want to go to Saudi Arabia do not fall victim to fraud.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Salman said the people who want to go to Saudi Arabia must verify things including recruiting company before going to Saudi Arabia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday discussed ways for increased Saudi investment in special economic zones and offshore banking systems in Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The issues were discussed at the second Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Political Consultations held in Riyadh. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Minister Hasan discussed with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud wide-ranging issues of regional and global development and of bilateral, economic, manpower and energy partnership.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The high-level meeting was also attended by Salman F. Rahman, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Private Industry and Investment; Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) and Inspector General of Missions Dr Md Nazrul Islam; Bangladesh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Md Javed Patwari; Director General (West Asia) Md Shafiqur Rahman; Director General (Foreign Minister's Office) Md Arif Nazmul Hasan and Saudi officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They reviewed the entire spectrum of partnership between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>