In the presence of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is visiting Dhaka, a total of 10 cooperation agreements including an agreement and a memorandum of understanding related to the maritime sector were signed by the respective ministers of the two countries at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
Late last year, the Saudi Arabian company Red Sea Gateway was entrusted with the management of the newly built Patenga Container Terminal at Chittagong port for the first time.
According to those sources, Qatar is interested in investing in Bangladesh’s port and logistics sector in the context of Matarbari deep sea port.
Describing Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Bangladesh as very important, President of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute and former ambassador Humayun Kabir told Benar on Tuesday, “The Emir of Qatar is a great leader in the international field. Qatar brokered the US government’s deal with the Taliban and the Hamas-Israel peace talks.”
“Notably, many countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, are now getting involved in the maritime sector and port management and operations. Qatar has a lot of money and they are looking for good investment places. Bangladesh’s port infrastructure development and management is a good sector for investment,” he added.
He also said, “Qatar is a very important country for Bangladesh. They have a long term contract with them for importing LNG. Qatar wants to increase that cooperation.”
Memorandum of Agreements and Compromises
According to state news agency Bass, five agreements and five memorandums of understanding were signed in the presence of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
These include prevention of double tax avoidance and revenue evasion on income between Bangladesh and Qatar, cooperation in legal matters, maritime transport, development and protection of mutual investment and establishment of joint trade council.
Two of the agreements relate to the maritime and port sector. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury signed the two agreements on behalf of Bangladesh.
In addition to the agreement, the five MoUs signed include cooperation in manpower employment (labour), ports (MWANI Qatar and Chittagong Port Authority), education, higher education and scientific research between Bangladesh and Qatar, youth and sports and diplomatic training between Bangladesh and Qatar. .
Ambassador Humayun Kabir said that the Emir of Qatar is visiting three Asian countries – Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines. All these three countries export manpower to the world.
“Qatar’s economy is huge. Their economy requires skilled manpower. Qatar is interested in taking skilled and unskilled workers from these countries. That is why it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh on manpower export,” he added.
What is the benefit of the contract in the maritime sector?
About the agreement and memorandum of understanding executed in the maritime sector, the joint secretary of the Ministry of Shipping M. Mustafa Kamal told Benar on Tuesday, “Under the two agreements, the ships of the two countries will be able to use the ports of both countries on a priority basis. This will increase trade and commerce.”
Mustafa Kamal said, “Qatar wants to invest in infrastructure development and logistics sector in Chittagong port and join the management of the port.”
Chittagong Port Chairman Rear Admiral M. regarding maritime agreement and memorandum of understanding with Qatar. Sohail told Banner on Tuesday, “Chittagong is one of the busiest ports in South Asia. Qatari businessmen are interested in Bangladesh ports. We are happy that the government of Qatar has signed an agreement and a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh, showing interest in the port and maritime sector.”
He said, “According to the agreement and memorandum of understanding, Qatari ships will be able to enter Bangladesh ports on a priority basis and similarly our ships will get priority when visiting Qatari ports.”
Rear Admiral Sohail said, “Through this arrangement, it will be possible to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector between the two countries. Business will increase.”
President of Bangladesh. The Emir of Qatar arrived in Bangladesh on Monday afternoon on a 24-hour jhatika visit at the invitation of Sahabuddin. He is accompanied by a Qatari business team.
President on Tuesday. Sahabuddin, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr. He met Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury. Emir of Qatar left Dhaka for Nepal on Tuesday evening.
Qatar wants to make a trade corridor
Salman F. The visiting Qatari businessmen sat in a meeting with the Bangladesh government delegation led by Rahman.
At the end of the meeting, Salman F. Rahman told reporters, “There was a discussion about finding ways to increase trade between the two countries. They are thinking of getting a trade corridor in Bangladesh. For this reason, the possibility of creating a trading corridor at Chittagong Port will be explored.”
He said, “They have already prepared a big port in Qatar. There is also an economic zone around the port. That port is still underutilized. The total turnover of the port of Singapore is four to five times more than that of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Then we have to see the possibility of bringing some trading in this direction by making a connectivity between the ports of Bangladesh and the ports of Qatar.”
Tags: agreements memorandum understanding signed Bangladesh Qatar
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