March 29, 2024, 3:14 am


FT online

Published:
2019-02-19 21:49:18 BdST

‘UAE to consider Bangladesh’s manpower export, investment demands’


Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan on Monday assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that the UAE would give due consideration to Bangladesh's demands, including those regarding manpower export and investment.

The crown prince delivered the assurance during a meeting with the prime minister at his Royal Palace.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed reporters after the meeting, with prime minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim in attendance.

The foreign secretary said a foreign office consultation between the two countries was set to take place on Tuesday, which is an unusual occurrence. “Normally, a foreign office consultation does not take place when the prime minister is visiting.”

He added that the consultation was being organized at the insistence of the UAE.

Issues discussed during the 30-minute-long meeting include how the UAE can help Bangladesh with its development, the Rohingya crisis, as well as increasing investment in Bangladesh.

The crown prince also invited the prime minister to attend a majlish (weekly meeting), where he introduced her to local representatives of the area.

After the prime minister informed him that 40,000 Rohingya children were born in Bangladesh in the last 18 months, the crown prince inquired about how he could help develop community clinics near the Rohingya camps and other possible solutions.

The prime minister also requested the UAE’s assistance with the repatriation of the around one million Rohingya, to which the crown prince gave assurances that the UAE would take up new programs to help resolve the issue, the foreign secretary said.

Regarding the issue of manpower export, the crown prince said the matter would be discussed with utmost importance.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan, also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, asked Hasina what would be a suitable time for him to visit Bangladesh.

The crown prince gave her a picture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with his father, which was taken during Bangabandhu's visit to the UAE, as a gift.

Earlier, the prime minister had a meeting with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), where the latter highlighted trade and business between Bangladesh and Dubai.

The Dubai ruler said the UAE has identified Bangladesh as a high potential sector for investment, and the issue of manpower export would be discussed.

At the meeting, the prime minister gifted him a Bengali translation of his book “My Vision.”

In the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi (Hafzaha Allah), wife of founding president of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at Al Bahar Palace.

The meeting was held in a very friendly and warm environment in presence of Sheikha Fatima’s daughters, daughters-in law, and other family members.

According to the foreign secretary, Sheikha Fatima asked Sheikh Hasina about the sustainable progress of Bangladeshi women in education, employment, health, business, NGOs, and other areas

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