Iqbal Sobhan stresses news exchange between BSS, SPA

MNA National Desk: Prime Minister’s Media Adviser and Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury called on the Saudi authorities to exchange information and news between Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the state-owned news agency of Bangladesh and Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the state-owned news agency of Saudi Arabia.

He also urged the Saudi government to keep Bengali news contents along with other languages at the SPA news portal for the expatriate Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia.

He made the call while meeting the Saudi Information and Cultural Minister Dr. Awad Saleh Al Awad at King Fahad Cultural Center at Riyad on Monday. Saudi Minister’s Adviser Fahim Al Hamid and Bangladesh Envoy to KSA Golam Moshi were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, they discussed various bilateral issues between the two countries.

Terming the relations between the two countries as ‘enormously friendly’, Iqbal Sobhan said that the relations between the two countries are now stronger than any other previous times. It was possible to strengthen the relations due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s strong leadership.

He also urged the media to play its due role in building strong relations between the two countries. The media adviser also urged for strengthening business and other relations between the two countries.

Iqbal Sobhan also emphasized on exchanging news and programmes between Bangladesh Television (BTV) and KSA TV. During the meeting, Saudi Minister Awad Saleh appreciated Bangladesh’s participation in the international books fair in Jeddah.

He added that media and cultural activities can play roles to combat terrorism and extremism.