Dhaka and Doha are eyeing broader trade and investment cooperation as Qatar Emir arrives today

Bangladesh is all set to welcome Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani today (April 22) on a two-day official visit where nearly a dozen cooperation documents are likely to be signed to boost ties in multiple areas including trade and investment strengthen. .

In a notice in the government gazette, the government has already declared the emir a very important person during his visit to Bangladesh.

Foreign Ministry officials said the agreements and MoUs are likely to be signed on trade and investment promotion, prisoner exchange, avoidance of double taxation, labor exports, cooperation in religion and higher education , reports UNB.

However, the exact number of documents to be signed between the two countries could not be known.

“It is expected that the two countries will discuss a wide range of sectors during the visit, including economic and technical cooperation, trade and investment, defense cooperation, energy cooperation, employment of skilled and semi-skilled labor from Bangladesh in Qatar, climate change, education, charitable activities , immigration, tourism, culture and sports, port management and human resource development,” Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md. said. Nazrul Islam, recently to TBS.

A significant part of the discussion will also highlight Palestinian and Rohingya issues, along with some other international crises, he said.

Qatar is a major exporter of LNG and fertilizers to Bangladesh. Bangladesh exports certain garments, vegetables and processed foods.

“Bilateral trade is strongly in Qatar’s favor. We see that we have a huge opportunity to further expand our exports, especially for non-traditional products,” the envoy said.

“In terms of investments, we expect Qatari investors to benefit from the best investment opportunities offered by Bangladesh. We have one of the most open investment regimes in the region. We may allocate an economic zone exclusively to Qatar. Qatar can further expand its activities. involvement in the energy sector by investing in LNG storage and distribution. Qatar can also invest in infrastructure and real estate sectors,” Nazrul Islam added.

Today, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will receive the Emir amid a gun salute and a wider ceremony at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Tomorrow morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive the Emir of Qatar at her office.

They will have a one-on-one meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, followed by a bilateral meeting.

The two leaders will witness the signing ceremony of cooperation documents and participate in a joint press meeting.

President Shahabuddin will host an official lunch in honor of the Emir of Qatar at Darbar Hall, Bangabhaban.

A road and a park in the capital will be named after Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Emir will inaugurate the park in Kalshi area of ​​Mirpur under Dhaka North City Corporation and a road running from Mirpur ECB Chattar to Kalshi Flyover at 3 pm.

The Emir will hold a private meeting with selected members of the business community at his residence.

He will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport tomorrow at 6 pm on a special flight.