I EXPRESS my happiness to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh as a developing country. The United Nations (UN) has declared Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status this year in mid March. This has been possible under the able leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On this wonderful occasion, I extend my sincere felicitations to the brotherly people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to our friends, well-wishers and Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Kingdom. On this auspicious day, I recall with profound respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of our nation. I pay special tribute to the memories of the martyrs of the War of Liberation as well as to our valiant freedom fighters, whose supreme sacrifices made us free as a nation.

Bangladesh identified as one of Next-11 economies

On this happy occasion, I would like to further mention that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress towards democracy, rule of law, good governance and inclusive economic growth. Bangladesh has been identified as one of the Next-11 economies in the world. Despite global economic recession, Bangladesh has been able to maintain a steady growth around 6.5% in the last decade and looks forward to achieving more than 7% in the coming years. Bangladesh is a potential goal of investment. The emerging sectors of Bangladesh are garments industry, pharmaceutical industry, shipbuilding industry, glass fiber industry, ceramic industry, jute and jute products, agriculture industry, processed foods etc.

As one of the largest Muslim-majority countries, Bangladesh enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia based on common Islamic values, traditions, faith, culture and mutual respect. Over the years, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh have played a responsible and contributory role as members of the comity of nations in various areas of international cooperation, including the OIC and the UN. We attach great importance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the cooperation with Bangladesh as a valued development partner, particularly through generous hosting of a significant number of Bangladeshi expatriates.

On this memorable day, I take the opportunity to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

I wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in the development and growth of both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh as well as in the consolidation of relations between the two brotherly countries. I wish them all continued peace, prosperity and happiness.

F. M. Borhan Uddin

Consul General of Bangladesh