Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh discuss collaboration for workers in Kingdom’s green initiatives

• Saudi Ambassador discussed the possibility of Bangladeshi farmers and experts participating in the Saudi Green Initiative.
• The initiatives aim to combat climate change and protect the environment in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
• The Saudi ambassador also discussed plans to streamline the employment of Bangladeshis.

Riyadh’s envoy has stated that Saudi Arabia is open to involving Bangladeshi workers in its green initiatives, following discussions with Dhaka’s new top diplomat. Nearly 3 million Bangladeshis live and work in Saudi Arabia, comprising the largest expat group in the Kingdom and the biggest Bangladeshi community outside Bangladesh.

With the implementation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, even more Bangladeshi workers are likely to secure employment in Saudi Arabia, particularly if they are skilled professionals or their jobs are linked to projects under the vision.

During his first meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, who recently assumed office following last month’s general election, Riyadh’s Ambassador to Dhaka, Essa Al-Duhailan, discussed the possibilities.

The discussions actively involve the foreign minister, who is a renowned ecologist and academic specializing in environmental sciences.

“We talked about the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative to have some farmers and experts from Bangladesh participate … in planting more than 50 billion trees in the region,” Al-Duhailan told Arab News after the meeting on Thursday.

He said the Saudi side was “open to any suggestion and cooperation.”

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman launched the green initiatives in 2021, focusing on combating climate change and safeguarding the environment for future generations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East through emissions reduction, afforestation, and land and sea protection.

Planting 50 billion trees across the Middle East is equivalent to restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land. The Kingdom will plant one-fifth of the trees within its borders, while it plans to plant the remaining 40 billion across the broader region in the coming decades.

The Saudi ambassador also discussed with the foreign minister the Kingdom’s plans to streamline the employment of Bangladeshis to “ease the procedures for the workers,” as well as preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.

“We will, inshallah, implement the Makkah Route initiative this year, for the fourth (time),” he added.

Saudi Arabia launched the Makkah Route initiative in 2019 as a flagship program, enabling pilgrims to fulfill all visa, customs, and health requirements at the airport of origin, saving long hours of waiting.

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