Source: The Financial Express
The United Arab Emirates has expressed interest in signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Bangladesh, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said.
During the bilateral meeting with Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at his palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored the need for transforming the bilateral relationships with Bangladesh into partnership.
Mr Abdullah opined that signing the CEPA can be a major way forward to achieving this goal.
The UAE minister also stressed the need for activating the Joint Business Council (JBC) for economic partnership with Bangladesh.
At the outset of the meeting held on Friday evening, Dr Hasan handed over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation letter to Mr Abdullah inviting the UAE President to visit Bangladesh on the occasion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Dr Hasan recalled the historical ties between the two brotherly countries established by the founding fathers of Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, praised the UAE leadership for their unprecedented progress through last five decades and highlighted the outstanding achievements of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the spokesperson said.
While reviewing the whole gamut of existing bilateral cooperation, the two ministers stressed on exploring new emerging areas including energy security, food security, environment and climate change, renewable energy and people-to-people communication to increase bilateral trade.
Dr Hasan highlighted potentials of investment from the UAE government and businessmen to develop the Matarbari Exclusive Economic Zone, port and logistics management, development of the land gifted to the founder President of the modern UAE, Sheikh Zayed Ibn Sultan Al Nahyan in Rangunia.
The UAE foreign minister expressed his interest in advancing the ongoing investment. The two leaders exchanged views on various regional issues, including Rohingya repatriation and efforts to end the ongoing Gaza war.
Mr Abdullah gave a positive response when Dr Hasan made a request to simplify the visa process for Bangladeshis in all trades, including graduate nurses, caregivers, healthcare technicians, agriculturists, farmers and various professionals in the UAE, and ease the transfer of work permits from one employer to another.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Md Abu Zafar and Director General of the West Asia wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Shafiqur Rahman were present at the meeting.
