FT ONLINE

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim on Tuesday said the long relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia remain very stronger and friendlier than before during the tenure of the incumbent government.

"The government wants to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia," he said when Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah HM Al-Mutairi paid a courtesy call on him at his secretariat office in Dhaka.

The minister expressed his gratitude to Saudi government for providing opportunities to a large number of Bangladeshi pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah there.

He also recalled the contribution of Saudi royal family to strengthen brotherhood among worldwide Mulsim Ummah.

The Saudi ambassador also lauded Bangladesh's progress in different areas and assured of continuing the existing bilateral relations.

Al-Mutairi invited the health minister to attend a function of Saudi Embassy marking the national day of Saudi Arabia in September next.

Additional Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Ministry Habibur Rahman and high officials of the ministry and Saudi Embassy were present on the occasion.