Emir of Qatar has left Dhaka
Dhaka, April 23, 2024 (BASS): Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani left Dhaka this afternoon after his two-day state visit to Bangladesh.
According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit of the Emir of Qatar has created extraordinary goodwill and understanding between the two countries. According to the statement, this high-level visit can make a significant contribution to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and elevate the relationship to the next level.
The Emir of Qatar paid a two-day visit to Bangladesh on April 22-23 at the invitation of the President of Bangladesh. He led a high-level delegation comprising members of the public and private sectors, which included, among others, Amir-e Dewan Pradhan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) Asia and Head of Africa Investment, Director of Asian Affairs and Studies and Research.
President Mohammad Sahabuddin welcomed the Amir. He was also given a red carpet welcome and a guard of honor at the airport. Minister of Liberation War Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs and External Affairs, Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Minister of State for Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment and senior government officials were present at the reception.
This was the first state-level soliloquy since the new government came to power in the country in January this year. The visit was also held in view of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Qatar. During the visit, the Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Qatari delegation led by the Emir of Qatar held fruitful bilateral discussions at the Prime Minister’s office today.
During the bilateral talks, both sides appreciated the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discussed ways and means to further enhance and advance the relationship through enhanced mutual dialogue, people-to-people contacts and exchange of visits at all levels, including state, business and political leadership. is The issues that came up in the discussion were trade and investment, energy and power, manpower, defence, education, agriculture and food security.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the Gaza war and the repatriation of Myanmar’s Rohingya citizens. Both leaders expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and violence in the Middle East and called on world leaders to take effective action for a sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue.
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister deeply appreciated the remarkable progress and transformation of Qatar as a developed knowledge-based multicultural society and Qatar’s important role in mediation and multilateral diplomacy under the leadership of the Emir. He expressed gratitude to Qatar for being one of the few Gulf countries to recognize Bangladesh during the lifetime of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Emir of Qatar praised the remarkable economic development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister. He praised Bangladesh as an emerging investment destination and thanked both sides for the signing of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Qatar and Bangladesh and expressed interest in exploring business opportunities in Bangladesh. The Amir also acknowledged the role of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the development of Qatar, who are contributing positively to the economies of both countries.
In this context, the Prime Minister requested the Emir of Qatar to consider recruiting more workers, professionals, nurses, technicians, caregivers, etc. from Bangladesh. The Emir of Qatar responded positively to this.
During the exchange, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh welcomed the establishment of a Joint Business Council (JBC) between the chamber organizations of the two countries and urged the Qatari side to ease the visa procedure for business circles to facilitate mutual dialogue and engagement between the business community. .He suggested Qatari investors and businessmen to explore opportunities to develop the tourism sector in Cox’s Bazar and invest in the exclusive economic zone dedicated to them.
The Emir of Qatar welcomed the proposal to invest in the EEZ and tourism spots in Cox’s Bazar, saying that he would ask the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Qatari business representatives to visit Bangladesh and see the investment potential in the proposed sector. He also informed the meeting about Free Economic Zone in Qatar and requested the Prime Minister to send a business delegation.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the existing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, saying that both sides are working together to further the engagement at the partnership level in the near future.
Before the bilateral talks, the two leaders also held a private meeting, where they exchanged views on mutual interests and priorities.
After the bilateral talks, the leaders of the delegation witnessed the signing of a total of 10 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOU) between Bangladesh and Qatar.
Both leaders witnessed the naming and inauguration of a special avenue from ECB Circle to Kalshi Point and a park in the capital’s Mirpur after the Emir of Qatar.
The Amir and members of his delegation met the President at Bangabhaban in the afternoon where they exchanged views on various bilateral issues.
The President thanked the Emir of Qatar for recruiting 350,000 Bangladeshi workers in Qatar and requested to recruit more skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh.
The Amir later attended a formal lunch hosted by the President in his honor after a cultural program at Bangabhaban.
The lunch was attended by the Prime Minister, Cabinet members and other dignitaries.
