RIYADH, 10 October 2004 — Bangladesh has named retired Maj. Gen. S.M. Ikramul Haque as the new ambassador to the Kingdom. He will succeed Syed S.K. Sharjil Hassan who will be leaving on Oct. 18 on completion of his tour of duty in the Kingdom.
“Ambassador Hassan who has been in the Kingdom for more than two years will be retiring from foreign service ,” a spokesman from the mission told Arab News.
Ambassador Hassan counts 36 years of service in his country’s foreign service and the Kingdom was his 12th and final overseas mission in his leg of overseas tour.”
There was an all-round development in the bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Bangladesh during Hassan’s tenure,” the spokesman said and added that the country could reach remarkable improvements in sectors such as economic relations, health and export of manpower to the Kingdom.
Last week, Hassan paid farewell calls on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah.
The Bangladesh Embassy here will host a farewell reception in honor of its outgoing ambassador at the Riyadh Palace Hotel Tuesday.
“ It was a fulfilling tenure and am happy that I was able to establish quality bilateral relations that were of mutual interest to the two countries,” Ambassador Hassan told Arab News. He recalled that Bangladesh sent 500 doctors to the Kingdom during his tenure and during the recent visit of the Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, Saudi Arabia has shown immense interest in procuring pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.
On his initiative, Hassan said the Kingdom has plans to establish teacher training colleges and educational institutions in Bangladesh . He has also made all arrangements with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to sign an agreement between the two countries for promotion of trade between the two countries.
“This will open new areas of cooperation for the greater benefit of the two countries” Hassan said.
He added that Saudi businessmen have evinced interest in several joint venture deals in power generation, telecommunications and infrastructure development in his country.
While registering his thanks to all those who assisted him, Hassan said that his days in the Kingdom will be remembered by him forever for his wonderful experience with the people here.
