Saudi Ambassador Meets Home Adviser: Focus on Rohingya Passports and Election Readiness

The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral issues, including the progress of issuing Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 Rohingyas residing in Saudi Arabia, manpower export, and preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election.

Regarding the Rohingya passport issue, the Adviser noted significant progress, mentioning that special teams have been dispatched to expedite the process. However, he pointed out that the physical presence for enrollment remains lower than the number of applications received. On the topic of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, the Adviser assured the Ambassador that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared, with ongoing drives to recover illegal arms and specialized training sessions conducted for the first time.

Acknowledging that over 3.2 million Bangladeshis consider Saudi Arabia their second home, the Adviser requested the Ambassador to increase recruitment of Bangladeshi workers. Additionally, while the Ambassador extended an invitation to the "World Defense Show" in Riyadh this February, the Adviser confirmed he would send a suitable representative due to his commitments regarding the national election.