Qatar emir leaves Dhaka

Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani left Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon wrapping up his two-day state visit to Bangladesh.

The Qatar emir's visit generated tremendous goodwill and understanding between the two countries, said a Foreign Ministry press release.

This highest-level visit is likely to contribute significantly to the further consolidation of ties and the elevation of the bilateral relations to the next level, said the release.

At the invitation of the Bangladesh President, the emir of the State of Qatar paid a two-day on April 22-23.

He led a high-level delegation comprising members from government and private sectors which included, among others, Chief of emir-i Diwan, Minister for Commerce and Industry, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief of Asia and Africa Investments of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Directors of Asian Affairs and Studies and Research.

The Amir was received by President Mohammed Shahabuddin as the red carpet was rolled out to welcome him. A guard of honour was also accorded him at the airport.

Ministers for Liberation War Affairs, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and senior officials of the government were present during the reception.

This was the first state-level incoming visit took place after the new government came in power in January this year; the visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Qatar.

During the visit, Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Qatari delegation led by Qatari emir, held a productive bilateral talks at the Prime Minister's Office today.

During the bilateral talks, both sides appreciated the longstanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discussed the means and ways to enhance and take forward the ties further through increased interaction, people-to-people contact and exchange of visit at all levels including official, business and political leadership.

The issues that came up for discussion were expediting collaboration on trade and investment, energy and power, manpower, defense, education, agriculture and food security etc.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interests including war in Gaza and repatriation of the Myanmar nationals Rohingya. Both leaders expressed deep concerns over the escalation of tension and violence in the Middle East and called for the global leaders to take effective measures for a durable solution to the question of Palestine.

In her opening remarks, the Prime Minister deeply appreciated the remarkable advancement and transformation of Qatar as an advanced knowledge-based multi-cultural society and Qatar's important role in mediation and multilateral diplomacy under stewardship of the emir.

She expressed her gratitude to Qatar for being one of the few Gulf countries that recognized Bangladesh during the lifetime of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Qatar emir appreciated the remarkable economic developments of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister.

He commended Bangladesh as an emerging investment destination and thanked both sides for inking the agreement on investment promotion and protection between Qatar and Bangladesh while expressing his keenness to explore business in potentials in Bangladesh.

The emir also recognized the role of the Bangladesh expatriate community in the development of Qatar who are making positive contributions to the economies of both countries.

In this context, the Prime Minister requested Qatari emir to consider recruiting more workers, professionals, nurses, technicians, caregivers and so on from Bangladesh to which the Qatar Amir responded positively.

During the exchange of views, Bangladesh Prime Minister welcomed the formation of a Joint Business Council (JBC) between the chamber bodies of the two countries and urged Qatari side to ease visa procedure for the business circles to facilitate the interaction and engagements between the business communities.

She offered Qatari investors and businessmen to develop tourism sectors in Cox's Bazar and also explore investment opportunities in Exclusive Economic Zone dedicated for them.

Qatar emir welcomed the proposals for investment in EEZ and in Cox's Bazar tourist spots saying that he would ask representatives from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Qatari business delegations to visit Bangladesh and see for themselves the investment prospects in the proposed sectors.

He also apprised the meeting about the Free Economic Zone in Qatar and requested the Prime Minister to send business delegations to Qatar to explore possible investment opportunities.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over existing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and added that both sides were working together to further advance the engagement to a partnership level in the near future.

Before the bilateral talks, both leaders also held an exclusive Tête-à-tête discussion where they exchanged views on matters of mutual interests and priorities.

After the bilateral talks, the delegation leaders witnessed signing of a total of ten Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Bangladesh and the State of Qatar.

Both leaders also witnessed the opening and naming of a prominent avenue from ECB circle to Kalshi point and a park in Mirpur in Dhaka City after the emir of the State of Qatar.

The emir and his delegation members also called on the President at Bangabhaban in the afternoon where they exchanged views on various bilateral issues.

The President thanked Qatari emir for employing three lakh and fifty thousand Bangladeshi workforces in Qatar and requested to recruit more skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh.

Later, the emir joined an official luncheon followed by a cultural programme at Bangabhaban in his honour by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

The luncheon was attended by the Prime Minister, members of the cabinet and other dignitaries.

Source: BSS