Bangladesh Eyes Greater Trade Ties With Qatar Amid Emir's Visit

Bangladesh looked forward to greater cooperation with Qatar in terms of fuel oil imports and investments as the Gulf country's Emir arrived Monday in the capital Dhaka on a two-day state visit.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's trip to Bangladesh is considered significant, as it marks the first visit by a monarch from the Middle Eastern country since 2005.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin met Al Thani at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where a number of ministers and chiefs of the military forces were present.

A red carpet was rolled out and he was received with a 21-gun salute. He was also presented with a guard of honor as the national anthems of the two countries were played.

Al Thani landed in Dhaka after concluding a visit to the Philippines and he is expected to later travel to Nepal.

Qatar is a labor market for Bangladeshi workers where about 400,000 Bangladeshis are employed. It is also an important source of energy imports for Bangladesh.

"Since we have an agreement with Saudi Arabia to purchase oil on deferred payment (within one year), a similar proposal may be discussed during the visit of the Emir of Qatar," Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters on Sunday.

If Qatar expresses interest, a special economic zone can be allocated to the country, Mahmud added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar twice in 2023, and the Emir's visit is a continuation of the bilateral visits, he said.

On Tuesday, Mahmud and Hasina will hold meetings with Al Thani and 11 documents are likely to be signed, including six agreements and five memoranda of understanding (MoUs), according to Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry. -