(MENAFN - Arab News) The Indian Consulate General's first ever consular tour of Qunfuda city, headed by Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, proved a big draw for community members living in the area.
In view of the huge demand for the services, Kidwai promised the community that a consular team will visit the region once in every three months.
There are about 15,000 Indians residing in and around Qunfuda, 375 km from Jeddah, who had represented for a consular visit to their town for a long time.
Their request was considered by the consul general after a report submitted by community welfare consul after visiting Qunfuda. Accompanying Consul General Kidwai were Consul (Community Welfare) S.D. Moorthy and Vice Consul (Passport) Doss Jeyakumar.
The consul general and community welfare consul made a courtesy call on Deputy Mayor of Qunfuda Eid Zubaidy soon on arrival in the city. Other Saudi officials were also present at the meeting. The welfare of the Indian expatriates residing in Qunfuda was discussed.
The Saudi officials were full of praise for the Indian community and their role in the development of Qunfuda was commended. Kidwai thanked the authorities for their support to the Indian expatriate community residing in Qunfuda and in nearby areas and the hard-working Keralite community came for special mention.
The business community of Qunfuda, under the aegis of a prominent Saudi businessman Hassan Al-Hazmi, hosted a dinner in honor of the visiting delegation. The Saudi business community requested the visiting Indian consul general to direct Indian investments to Qunfuda.
Kidwai, in reply, promised to take up the matter with the Indian government and the Chamber of Commerce in India. The dinner was attended by prominent Saudi businessmen, officials and Indian community members.
The next day, the consul general inaugurated the first consular services in Qunfuda. Kidwai personally attended to the complaints from Indian workers and advised them on the possible the legal course of action. More than 100 Indians availed of the passport and consular services.
In the evening, the Indian expatriate community hosted a public reception in honor of the consul general and the delegation. The community requested the opening of an Indian school and a polyclinic in Qunfuda. The community has also requested holding of medical camps for needy Indian workers in Qunfuda. Kidwai agreed to consider their demands.
Many expatriate Indians residing in Qunfuda, Baha, Jazan and Abha benefited from this consular tour. Consul Moorthy interacted with the Indian community members and Keralite organizations and discussed their problems and other issues. He revealed that in future, the tour would be conducted once in three months.
