Dhaka on Tuesday conferred this year’s ‘Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence’ on Saudi Arabia ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan for his profound and enduring contributions toward elevating Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia bilateral relationship to unprecedented heights.
‘During the tenure of His Excellency Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relationship has flourished in unprecedented ways,’ said foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the conferment ceremony at the foreign service academy in Dhaka.
He said that the visionary leadership of ambassador Essa had fostered collaboration across a spectrum of sectors, with Saudi Arabia emerging as one of Bangladesh’s key bilateral partners in trade, investment, and energy security.
‘His Excellency’s dynamism and commitment to expanding and consolidating our multifaceted ties have been nothing short of exemplary,’ he said.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the foreign adviser said that Essa demonstrated unparalleled dedication by safeguarding the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia and ensuring the continuity of employment for Bangladeshi workers.
‘These efforts stand as a testament to his compassion and statesmanship, further strengthening the bond between our peoples. Throughout Bangladesh’s diplomatic history, Saudi Arabia has remained a steadfast friend and trusted ally while this year marks the 50th anniversary of the inception of diplomatic engagement between the two nations,’ he said.
‘Today, our collaboration has yielded significant benefits in areas such as development and joint advocacy for shared goals on international platforms,’ Touhid noted.
He said that over three million Bangladeshi expatriates, working in Saudi Arabia, were playing a vital role in the oil-rich nation’s economy while contributing to Bangladesh’s development through remittances.
‘This interdependence reflects the strong and growing connection between our two nations. Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking investments in Bangladesh- spanning key areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and finance- have further solidified this bond,’ said the adviser.
In his remark, the Saudi envoy said that throughout his five years of service in Dhaka, he had worked tirelessly dedicated himself to elevating Saudi-Bangladesh relations to new horizons.
Over the past three years, the envoy said that the Saudi embassy had issued more than 2.2 million workers’ visas, facilitating opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia.
‘I firmly believe that our relationship is multifaceted, extending far beyond Hajj, Umrah, or manpower. It encompasses trade, investment, culture, sports, tourist and every other aspect of cooperation that strengthens our bond,’ he said.
The envoy expressed his gratefulness to the foreign ministry and Bangladesh leadership to nominate him for the award and said that visionary guidance and unwavering support of the Bangladesh leadership had played a pivotal role in fostering the close bond between the two brotherly Muslim counties.
‘This prestigious recognition is a tremendous privilege, and I sincerely thank the government of the people’s republic of Bangladesh for this incredible honour. This award symbolises the strong bond between our two countries, and I am proud to have been part of this journey,’ he shared with heartfelt emotion.
Over the past five years, the ambassador said that Saudi-Bangladesh bilateral relations had reached new heights, marked by several significant developments including over 50 high-level visits between dignitaries from both countries.
‘We successfully implemented digital applications for Hajj and Umrah, including the Nusuk and Makkah Route Initiatives, which will be implemented again this year to streamline the pilgrimage process for Bangladeshi citizens,’ he said.
The envoy dedicated the award to Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud; crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and foreign minister prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his family.