Dhaka: Mentioning that Bangladesh denounces terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday assured Saudi Arabia of providing all-out support to its counter-terrorism efforts, reports UNB.

The Prime Minister made the assurance when Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.

PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim said, while briefing the reporters after the meeting, the Prime Minister told the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister that Bangladesh is following a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

Ihsanul Karim said they discussed matters relating to mutual interests, including migration of workers, investment, trade and cooperation in other fields.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh values friendship with Saudi Arabia. As the Muslim brotherly nations, the two countries share long historical relations. The relations have to be taken forward to explore the potentials of trade and business, she added.

Sheikh Hasina thanked Saudi Arabia for regularising Bangladeshi workers there, and sought more Saudi investments in various sectors of Bangladesh.

In the name of religion, she said, some people are maligning the true spirit of Islam, a religion of peace and tolerance.

‘The Muslim Ummah is also being affected by the activities of this section of people.’

Noting that Islam preaches love, mercy and peace, the Saudi Foreign Minister said, ‘But the extremists are eroding the values.’

He said extremism should be contained; otherwise it may spread from one place to another affecting the image and interests of the Muslim Ummah.

Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir said they are making efforts to involve different sections, including the media, to raise awareness in this regard.

He praised Bangladesh’s progress and development under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Saudi Foreign Minister hoped that the relations between the two countries would be strengthened further in different areas in the coming days for mutual interests.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the Saudi King for his kind support to Bangladesh nationals in Saudi Arabia, particularly for the recent legalization of many Bangladeshi workers there.

The Saudi minister assured of recruiting of more Bangladeshi nationals in different sectors of that country in the coming days. It was emphasized that proper training of the Bangladeshi workers would be beneficial at both ends.

The Prime Minister briefed the Saudi minister on the investment-friendly policies and environment in Bangladesh and invited more Saudi investment in different sectors.

The Saudi Foreign Minister also underscored the need for deepening the bilateral engagements in the trade and investment sector and opined that it would add momentum to the existing excellent political relations.

It was stressed that frequent high level visits between the two countries at political, official and private level should take the bilateral relation to a new height.

Undersecretaries of Saudi Arabia Dr Khalid Al Jandan and Dr Yousef Al Sadoon, Director General Mohammed Al Kalabi, Directors Osama Nagly and Khalid Al Kangary and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah HM Al Mutairi accompanied the Saudi Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque were present.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Minister left here for his country on Tuesday night wrapping up his brief official visit to Bangladesh.

A special flight carrying Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 9:20pm. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood saw him off at the airport.

Earlier on his arrival in Dhaka from New Delhi, the Saudi Foreign Minister said they want to ‘improve, deepen and strengthen’ the already existing ‘strong and historic’ ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia in all fields.

He laid emphasis on improving ‘consultation, coordination and cooperation’ between the two countries.