What can Bangladesh get from the visit of the Emir of Qatar?

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Dhaka this year is considered very important for Bangladesh’s position in trade, manpower export and Middle East diplomacy. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit on Monday (April 22) afternoon. 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. Among these are the agreements on promotion of trade and investment, exchange of prisoners, elimination of double taxation and mutual cooperation on customs matters. Apart from this, MoUs can be signed on the export of manpower from Bangladesh to Qatar, cooperation in religious matters, the 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 our country’s energy reserves and ensuring energy security.’

It is known that Bangladesh wants to take fuel from Qatar with one year delayed 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 multifaceted. Qatar is one of the Muslim countries that recognize Bangladesh In addition, Qatar is one of Bangladesh’s labor markets in the Middle East, where nearly four lakh Bangladeshis are working.

Former Ambassador Major General (Retd.) Md. Shahidul Haque said, ‘In the current situation in the Middle East, the energy security of Bangladesh 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, it will get LNG at cheaper price And energy security will also be ensured And now that is being bought from the spot market, the price of which is 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.’

And the former foreign secretary. Tauhid Hossain said, ‘After many years, an Emir of Qatar is visiting Bangladesh because it is very important. Apart from importing LNG, many of our people here work in Qatar That’s why we need to have a good relationship The government is trying to bring LNG from Qatar with one year deferred payment It is very difficult to happen But if you can, that would be great Apart from this, agreements or MoUs are good for visible relations.’

According to Bangladesh Bank, Qatar ranks ninth in terms of expatriate income in Bangladesh In the first 9 months of the current financial year (2023-24), expatriates sent remittances from that country to the tune of 838.22 million dollars. Qatar’s position is seventh among the countries of the Middle East Since 2001, Qatar’s manpower exports have declined significantly 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 have died Among them, the number of Bangladeshi workers is 1 thousand 18 people This information is from The Guardian

Therefore, during the visit of the Emir of Qatar to Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought forward the issue of protection of migrant workers in Qatar. Michael Page, HRW’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: ‘More than diplomatic goodwill, this visit requires effective discussions on measures to protect expatriate workers in Qatar and 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 receive 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.’

About the workers. Shahidul Haque said, ‘and there is now a demand for skilled workers. We should send skilled workers there. Those who go there from Bangladesh, they 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 look at 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 staffing There is a growing demand for workers in the service sector If the government cooperates, we can catch those sectors now.’

Diplomats say that Qatar’s relations with the Middle East and Arab countries deteriorated significantly 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 Bangladesh also 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 said, “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.