Today, Bangladesh’s special economic zones received an investment request from investors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“UAE investors may come up with investments in Bangladesh’s special economic zones,” she said as UAE Ambassador here Abdulla ALi Abdulla Khaseif Alhmoudi called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban this morning.
Following the meeting, reporters were informed by Md. Nayeemul Islam Khan, the PM’s press secretary.
The UAE diplomat promised that his nation will grant visas to workers from Bangladesh in order to secure their employment there.
Khan claims that the prime minister was given an assurance by the UAE envoy that they would recruit workers from Bangladesh and ensure that they would have a job waiting for them.
He stated both the UAE ambassador and the premier stressed the importance of preventing any illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
“Both the countries have agreed to be more aware of this matter,” he added.
During the meeting, the UAE envoy said some of the UAE ministers will visit Bangladesh very soon and they will explore the new avenues to deepen relations with Bangladesh.
“We already have a very extensive and deep tie, but we are eager to take it to a new height,” he said.
Alhmoudi stated that nowadays, over 20,000 individuals go from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates each month.
He went on, “The UAE embassy is issuing about 1000 visas per day, 500 directly and 500 through agents.”
The prime minister was also extended an invitation to visit the UAE by the ambassador, who stated that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, were excited to have her visit.
As Sheikh Hasina sought UAE investment in Bangladesh special economic zones, Alhmoudi said the UAE ministers, who will visit Bangladesh in the coming days, would discuss the issue.The UAE envoy also sought cooperation from the prime minister to expedite UAE’s investments in Bangladesh including container terminal.
The premier told him that the government is speeding up everything in all sectors. “We’re doing everything to speed up,” she said.
The UAE ambassador said one of his country’s companies wants to provide Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to the civil aviation of Bangladesh.
According to him, the process is currently in the last phase of the price negotiation level.
According to the press secretary, the prime minister gave PMO secretary Muhammad Salahuddin the assignment.
The US, EU member states, and other nations increasingly demand passenger information from airlines prior to travel for security concerns. Advance Passenger Information (API) is the term for this.
