Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today met with Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, at his office. Photo: PID

DHAKA, April 27, 2026 (BSS) – Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today paid a courtesy call on Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, at his office here. 

During the meeting, the minister thanked the envoy for visiting the ministry and expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for providing employment opportunities to nearly three million Bangladeshi nationals.

He said, on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh remains appreciative of Saudi Arabia’s continued support in employing Bangladeshi workers. 

Highlighting the government’s future plans for expatriates’ welfare, the minister said that various modern facilities would be ensured through the introduction of a ‘Probashi Card’ in line with the government’s election manifesto.

At the meeting, Ariful Haque proposed simplifying the registration process of recruiting agencies at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka and significantly reducing migration costs. He also stressed expanding the ongoing “Skill Verification Programme,” currently covering 73 trades, to ensure the recruitment of skilled manpower.

The two sides discussed modernizing Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs) in line with Saudi standards and operating them under joint supervision. 

The minister also underscored the need to develop a digital database or “Qualified Talent Bank” of verified skilled workers to expedite the recruitment process from weeks to just a few days.

Ariful reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against illegal transactions, irregularities and harassment in manpower recruitment and urged the Saudi side to recruit more Bangladeshi professionals for white-collar jobs alongside skilled workers.

Speaking at the meeting, Secretary of the ministry Md. Mokhter Ahmed sought Saudi cooperation in reducing Iqama renewal fee. He also requested support in protecting migrant workers’ rights and ensuring the swift repatriation of bodies of deceased Bangladeshi workers.

The Saudi ambassador congratulated the current government and mentioned that many of the discussed issues were already included in an agreement signed between the two countries in October 2025. He proposed incorporating the remaining issues into future agreements through further discussions.

The envoy noted that although Iqama renewal fees are supposed to be borne by employers, they are often imposed on workers, which should not happen. He urged the minister to bring around 190 non-compliant recruiting agencies registered in Saudi Arabia under accountability.

He also proposed developing a dedicated app in coordination with the Saudi government and embassy to quickly resolve workers’ complaints.

Referring to educational cooperation, the ambassador said Saudi Arabia is currently providing scholarships to around 250 Bangladeshi students, with plans to increase the number to 500.

The envoy further called for necessary steps to launch Saudi Airlines flights from Saudi Arabia to Sylhet.

At the end of the meeting, the minister invited the ambassador to visit Sylhet and assured that steps would be taken, in consultation with the aviation authorities, to introduce direct Saudi Airlines flights to the city.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Dr Mohammad Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Saudi Embassy Consular Abdullah Al-Harbi, and senior officials of the ministries concerned were present.