Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Dhaka on Monday afternoon on a two-day visit. After almost two decades, a Qatari head of state visited Bangladesh.
The visit is considered very important for Bangladesh’s position in trade, manpower export and Middle East diplomacy. This importance has increased especially since Qatar now plays the role of mediator between the countries of the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that Qatar may sign 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding with Bangladesh during this visit.
These agreements include promotion of trade and investment, exchange of prisoners, elimination of double taxation and mutual cooperation on customs matters. Apart from this, memorandum of understanding can be signed on the export of manpower from Bangladesh to Qatar, cooperation in religious matters, attachment of Qatari institution Mawani in port management, cooperation in higher education and training of diplomats.
Bangladesh attaches great importance to this visit for energy security. This is especially important in the context of the current Hamas-Israel and Israel-Iran crises in the Middle East.
The foreign minister said, ‘I think this visit will play a very important role in increasing energy reserves in our country and ensuring energy security.’
It is reported that Bangladesh wants to buy fuel from Qatar with one year deferred payment. Bangladesh is completely dependent on Qatar for LNG.
The foreign minister also said, ‘The existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are very deep, friendly and versatile. Qatar is one of the Muslim countries to recognize Bangladesh. In addition, Qatar is one of the labor markets of Bangladesh in the Middle East, where about four lakh Bangladeshis are working.
Former ambassador Major General (retired) Md. Shahidul Haque thinks, ‘In the current situation in the Middle East, Bangladesh’s energy security should be given the most importance in this visit. Bangladesh is completely dependent on Qatar for LNG. If Bangladesh can go for long term purchase agreement now then it will get LNG at cheaper price. And energy security will be ensured. And now it is being bought from the spot market whose prices are falling. A portion of Bangladesh’s power plants are now running on LNG. So if its supply is confirmed, we will have a good situation in terms of electricity.’
Former Foreign Secretary Md Tauhid Hossain said, ‘After many years, an Emir of Qatar is visiting Bangladesh because it is very important. In addition to importing LNG, many of our people here work in Qatar. For this we need to have a good relationship. The government is trying to bring in LNG from Qatar with a one-year deferred payment. It is very difficult to happen. But if you can, that would be great. Besides, the agreements or MoUs that will be made are good for visible relations.’
According to Bangladesh Bank, Qatar ranks ninth in terms of expatriate income in Bangladesh. In the first nine months of the current financial year (2023-24), expatriates sent remittances from the country to 838.22 million dollars.
Qatar is ranked seventh among Middle Eastern countries. Qatar’s manpower exports have declined significantly since 2001 and recovered in 2015-16. The next four years decreased again. Although this bad situation continued till 2020, it started to increase again from 2021 due to the World Cup football tournament in Qatar. In 2023, more than 56 thousand people from Bangladesh went to Qatar. However, there are questions about the working conditions of workers in Qatar and the rights of Bangladeshi workers.
An average of 12 people from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka have died every week in Qatar since it won World Cup glory. From 2011 to 2020, 5,927 migrant workers died. Among them, the number of Bangladeshi workers is 1 thousand 18 people. This information is from The Guardian.
Therefore, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought forward the issue of protection of migrant workers in Qatar during the Emir of Qatar’s visit to Bangladesh.
HRW’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Michael Page said, ‘More than diplomatic goodwill, this visit requires effective discussions on the protection of expatriate workers in Qatar and measures to stop harassment. And the Emir of Qatar should return from this visit to visit the centers where the expatriate workers receive treatment and talk to the families of the workers who died due to lack of adequate security.’
According to HRW, 88% of the total population of Qatar are migrant workers. Therefore, their protection should be of utmost importance.’
Md. Touhid Hossain said, ‘Bangladesh workers in Qatar get lower wages than workers from other countries. This is because they go to that country under a person. The person who is their employer keeps a portion of their income. The government should talk to Qatar about these issues. So that our workers do not cheat.
Regarding the workers, Md. Shahidul Haque said, ‘And there is now a demand for skilled workers. We should send skilled workers there. Those who go there from Bangladesh do risky work. Qatar was built by foreign workers. Now we should participate in their further development by sending skilled workers. It is necessary to pay attention to that direction in this trip.’
Secretary General of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) Ali Haider Chowdhury said, ‘The process of sending people to Qatar is quite complicated. As a result, Bangladeshi workers are going there at a slow pace. Simplifying this process will increase the number of workers there.’
He said, ‘There is an increasing demand for workers in the service sector. If the government cooperates, we can catch those sectors now.’
Diplomats say Qatar’s relations with the Middle East and Arab countries deteriorated sharply in 2017 due to the role of the Arab League, particularly Saudi Arabia. At that time, there was strong pressure from Saudi Arabia on Bangladesh to take a stand against Qatar. Still, Bangladesh took a neutral position. So the country is satisfied with Bangladesh. And now Qatar is the biggest player in the recent situation in the Middle East.
Md. Shahidul Haque thinks, ‘It is an advantage for Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s good relations with Qatar can help Bangladesh get many benefits from the Middle East.’
Earlier in 2005, the then Emir of Qatar Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani came to Bangladesh.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Tags: Bangladesh visit Emir Qatar
-
