Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zone.
He said, ‘UAE investors can bring investment in the Special Economic Zone of Bangladesh.’
The Prime Minister made this call during a courtesy meeting of the UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Abdullah Khasef Alhamoudi with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gana Bhaban on Thursday (June 13) morning.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Md. Naemul Islam Khan briefed the journalists.
The UAE ambassador said that his country will grant visas to the Bangladeshi workforce after securing employment.
According to Khan, the UAE ambassador has assured the prime minister that they will take manpower from Bangladesh for whom jobs are waiting.
He said that the Prime Minister and the UAE ambassador have insisted on not allowing any illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
“Both countries have agreed to be more aware of this,” he added.
In the meeting, the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates said that some ministers of the United Arab Emirates will visit Bangladesh very soon and they will look for new ways to deepen the relationship with Bangladesh.
“We already have a wide and deep bond, but we are keen to take it to new heights,” he said.
Alhammoudi mentioned that currently around 20,000 people from Bangladesh are going to the United Arab Emirates every month.
He also mentioned that the UAE embassy issues about 1,000 visas per day, 500 directly and 500 through agents.
The Ambassador invited the Prime Minister to visit his country and said that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are eagerly waiting to welcome him.
Alhammoudi said that since Sheikh Hasina expected UAE investment in special economic zone in Bangladesh, the UAE ministers who will visit Bangladesh in the coming days will discuss the matter.
The UAE ambassador sought the Prime Minister’s cooperation to accelerate UAE investment in Bangladesh, including container terminals.
The Prime Minister told him that the government is speeding up everything in all sectors. ‘We are doing everything to speed things up,’ he said.
The UAE ambassador said that a company from his country wants to provide Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to the civil aviation of Bangladesh.
He also said that the process is in the final stage of price negotiation.
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the responsibility of her office secretary Mohammad Salah Uddin to take this matter forward.
For security reasons, airlines in the US, EU member states and other countries now require detailed passenger information before travel. This is known as Advanced Passenger Information