President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday (Apr 23) sought Qatar’s investment in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Bangladesh as he held a meeting with visiting Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Bangabhaban in Dhaka. “Bangladesh government has set up 100 SEZs for foreign investors and Qatari investors can invest there. They may invest in agro-production and processing, food packaging, smart agriculture and fertilizer production,” he told the Amir. President Shahabuddin said the Qatari investors can avail the comprehensive incentives and support in investing in some areas like petro-chemical, energy, machineries, IT, electronics, ceramics, agri-business and food processing in the SEZs. President’s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the National News Agency of Bangladesh after the meeting, local media reported.
Acknowledging Qatar as a valued partner of Bangladesh in the Gulf region, the President said the Amir’s visit and singing of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) reflects the commitment of further expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation in days to come.
Shahabuddin expressed gratitude to the Qatar government for hosting around 3.75 lakh Bangladeshi nationals as they are contributing to the socio-economic development of both Qatar and Bangladesh. The head of the state urged the Qatar Amir to recruit more semi-skilled and skilled young manpower, IT experts, professionals and technicians from Bangladesh.
Thanking the Qatar government for providing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Bangladesh, the President sought long-term energy assistance from Qatar. Mohammed Shahabuddin also requested Qatar for an early implementation of the MoU on Defence Cooperation and the agreement with Qatar Armed Forces concerning deputation of officers in Qatar. He said both sides need to engage more to tap trade and business potentials as the bilateral trade stands at 2.220 billion in 2022-23 and Bangladesh exported goods worth $43 million.
The Bangladesh President highly appreciated the efforts of Qatar (along with Egypt and the United States) in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The Amir of Qatar lauded the socio-economic development of Bangladesh in almost all sectors under the charismatic and efficient leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He assured of providing all necessary support for Bangladesh in the days to come.
The Amir of Qatar said the agreements and MoUs signed by Qatar and Bangladesh will play a more effective role in the development of bilateral and multilateral ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, both the leaders expressed the hope the Amir’s visit will pave the way for further strengthening the multifaceted partnership between Bangladesh and Qatar.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu, foreign secretary and Bangabhaban secretaries were present during the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Amir was accompanied by Chief of Amiri Dewan Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Bin Saad Al-Muraikhi and Ambassador of Qatar to Bangladesh Seraya Bin Ali Al-Qahtani.
After the meeting, the Amir took part in a photo session. He also signed the visitor's book.
The President hosted a state luncheon in honor of the Amir of Qatar at the Durbar Hall. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiyo Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan, ministers, advisers to prime minister and other dignitaries also took part in the lunch.
A cultural function was held on the occasion.
