Submit visa documents directly to avoid intermediaries, says Saudi ambassador
Staff Reporter :
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Youssef Al-Duhailan, has stated that while employers cover all expenses for Bangladeshi workers’ visa processing, many of these workers are still suffering financial losses due to intermediaries.
He also called on all concerned parties to directly submit the necessary documents for visa processing to avoid ‘blackmailing’.
The envoy said this at a press conference held at the Saudi Embassy on Tuesday on the occasion of a project launching Saudi Volunteer Programme ‘EBSAR’ to provide eye care for over 30,000 students of 50 schools in Bangladesh. King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre’s Assistant Supervisor General for Planning and Development Dr Aqeel Al Ghamdi, among others, was present on the occasion.
Ambassador Essa also mentioned that Saudi missions are issuing around 5,000 visas daily for Bangladeshi nationals and that both sides are working to make the process even more convenient.
In reply to a question about Umrah and Hajj packages, he said that Bangladeshi citizens can now select their preferred packages without the involvement of any agencies, making it easier for them to perform these religious journeys.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh is multifaceted and extends beyond Hajj and Umrah.
The two countries are cooperating in various fields, including investment, trade, culture, defense, manpower and humanitarian aids.
When asked about the Rohingya crisis, the ambassador mentioned that Saudi Arabia is internationally supporting Bangladesh in the Rohingya repatriation efforts and hopes for the voluntary return of Rohingya refugees.
The Saudi Arabia is also providing various aids including constructions of shelters for the Rohingyas to alleviate their sufferings, he said.
Regarding the construction of a modern container terminal in the coming months, the Saudi envoy expressed his country’s interest in investing in various sectors of Bangladesh, including energy and infrastructure.
Apart from this, he also said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Bangladesh next year, emphasising that this historic visit will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and remove all existing obstacles.
