Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Bangladesh's 46th anniversary of the Independence and National day was celebrated at Crowne Plaza hotel Sunday. The reception was attended by Jamal Bakr Balkheour, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Al Mukarramah, diplomats, Saudi businessmen and media figures, in addition to leaders and prominent members of the Bangladeshi community. After the rendition of the national anthems of the two countries, F.M. Borhan Uddin, consul general of Bangladesh, welcomed the guests. He stressed the excellent relationships between Bangladesh and the Kingdom in various aspects of cooperation. Borhan Uddin said, "Since our independence, Bangladesh is committed to consolidate democracy, eradicate poverty, and attain sustainable development and better life for our people. Bangladesh has traveled a long path from its painful birth; it's now a role model for fighting poverty and extremism, empowering women, disaster management and coping challenges posed by global and climate change." According to him Bangladesh government is working hard to materialize ‘Vision 2021' of transforming Bangladesh to a middle-income country and knowledge- and IT-based "Digital Bangladesh". He added: "As one of the largest Muslim countries, Bangladesh enjoys special brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia based on common Islamic values, traditions, faith, culture and mutual respect. We enjoy excellent bilateral relation with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia." "We are thankful to the Saudi government for the generous hosting of a significant number of Bangladeshi expatriates, who have been playing very important and active role in the economic development of the two brotherly countries." He expressed his deep appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia for providing commendable support, facilities and services to Bangladeshi Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Earlier the program started with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an and it was followed by the ceremonial cake cutting.
