Dhaka seeks Riyadh support to reduce Hajj costs
A reduction in Hajj management costs would significantly ease the financial burden on thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims each year
ATT Correspondent 
Bangladesh has sought Saudi Arabia's support in reducing the overall cost of Hajj for its pilgrims by lowering taxes and charges on Hajj flights, as the two countries moved to deepen cooperation in civil aviation, tourism and Hajj management.
The issue was raised during a courtesy meeting between Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Secretariat on Monday.
During the meeting, the minister stressed the need to make Hajj more affordable for Bangladeshi pilgrims and requested the Saudi envoy's assistance in reducing taxes and other charges on Hajj flights.
She said a reduction in these costs would significantly ease the financial burden on thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom each year.
In response, the Saudi ambassador assured the Bangladesh side that the request would receive positive consideration and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to extending all possible cooperation.
The state minister also raised concerns over the higher accommodation costs faced by Bangladeshi pilgrims following the discontinuation of Category D accommodation in Saudi Arabia. He urged the Saudi authorities to consider reinstating the category, saying its absence had substantially increased accommodation expenses for pilgrims.
The ambassador reiterated his government's commitment to improving services for Bangladeshi pilgrims while making Hajj more affordable. He assured the minister and the state minister of Saudi Arabia's full support for initiatives aimed at enhancing Hajj services and reducing costs.
The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in civil aviation and tourism and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the longstanding relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
At the end of the meeting, both countries expressed their resolve to expand cooperation in aviation, tourism and Hajj management for the mutual benefit of the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
