Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah meet with Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at his office in the Home Ministry. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) — Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at his office in the Home Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat today, reaffirming the commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral relations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including manpower export, expansion of bilateral trade and commerce, preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, said a Home Ministry press release.

The ambassador also formally invited Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming World Defense Show to be held in Riyadh.

Welcoming the Saudi envoy, the Home Adviser described Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as close and friendly nations, noting that Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people as the holy land of Islam and as a second home to more than 3.2 million Bangladeshi expatriate workers. 

He emphasized the significant contribution of expatriates to Bangladesh’s economy and urged Saudi Arabia to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh, expressing optimism that this would further deepen bilateral ties.

However, he pointed out that attendance for passport enrollment remains lower than expected compared to the number of applications received, a matter already communicated to the Saudi Interior Minister.

On national election preparations, the adviser stated that while the Election Commission bears primary responsibility for conducting the polls, the Ministry of Home Affairs is tasked with maintaining law and order and is fully prepared. 

He highlighted that, for the first time, law enforcement agencies have received specialized training ahead of the elections, and a deployment circular has already been issued. 

Efforts to recover illegal and looted weapons have been intensified, alongside ongoing nationwide security operations, including Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2.”

The ambassador invited the adviser to attend the World Defense Show scheduled for 8–14 February 2026 in Riyadh and handed over an official invitation letter from the Saudi Interior Minister. 

The home adviser expressed his inability to attend the show due to Bangladesh’s 13th national election on 12 February 2026 but confirmed that a suitable representative would be sent.