Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to UAE ushers in a new era that would facilitate further bilateral economic and commercial ties and people-to-people contacts between the countries,’’ said Chargé d' Affaires of UAE embassy in Dhaka Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi while talking to the press recently.
“The Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s recent successful visit to UAE ushers a new era that would facilitate further bilateral economic and commercial ties and people-to-people contacts between the countries,’’ said Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi.
He added, “The UAE-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has historically been based on mutual respect and meaningful cooperation. The UAE government appreciates and appraises continued friendship with Bangladesh and the warmth of this special relationship has also showcased during the last visit.’’ Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the deep ties between the UAE and Bangladesh and the importance of strengthening bilateral relations to further the mutual interests of the two countries.
The bilateral trade between two countries in 2021 stood at US$1.8 billion, he said saying that a direct shipping line would help multiply it several times.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh's exports to the UAE stood at $495.85 million in fiscal 2020-21. The balance of trade was in favour of the Gulf country. The UAE exports to Bangladesh stood at US$1.3 billion. The volume of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the UAE over the past years recorded a growth of more than 15%. Abdulla Ali Al Hmoudi, however, has expressed the hope though UAE investment in Bangladesh, the trade gap between two countries will come down. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to the UAE during 07-12 March, 2022 at the invitation of the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Culture and Youth has received Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her accompanying delegation at the Abu Dhabi International Airports.
During the visit on March 08, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Both Prime Ministers of UAE and Bangladesh witnessed the signing of several MoUs aimed at boosting cooperation between the UAE and Bangladesh. The first MoU for cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research was signed by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE’s Minister of Education and Dr. AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Minister. Another MoU for cooperation in the field of diplomatic training was signed by H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and Masud bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh.
An MoU between the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), was signed by Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research and Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, President of the BIISS.
Later on March 10, an MoU was signed between the FBCCI and the UAE Chambers to establish a Joint Business Council between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) will set up a trade centre in Dubai aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As part of the move, an MoU was signed between the Bangladesh Business Council (BBC) of Dubai and the FBCCI on Friday last in Dubai.
President of FBCCI Md Jashim Uddin and founder President of BBC-Dubai Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.