Emir of Qatar is coming today for a two-day visit

News desk: Bangladesh is ready to welcome the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin-Hamad Al Thani. Today he is coming to Dhaka by special flight for a two-day visit. During this visit, six agreements and five memorandums of understanding are being signed between the two countries. Apart from this, a road and a park in Dhaka will be named after the Emir of Qatar.

Bangladesh imports gas (LNG) from Qatar through long-term contracts. However, due to the dollar crisis, Bangladesh wants to keep the price of gas up to one year. The proposal will be made during the visit of the Emir of Qatar. Ministers and important officials will visit Bangladesh with him. This is part of the Emir of Qatar's visit to Asia. The visit of this important leader of the Middle East is also very significant politically after the new government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took office for the fourth term.

The six agreements that will be signed during the visit are-1. Regarding double tax avoidance and tax evasion, 2. Cooperation in legal matters, 3. Transportation by sea, 4. Regarding mutual investment development and protection of both countries, 5. Transfer of convicted persons of two countries and 6. Agreement regarding formation of joint business council.

Apart from this, the five MoUs that will be signed are-1. Manpower Affairs, 2. Regarding port management, 3. Higher education and scientific research, 4. Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Sports and 5. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Diplomatic Training.

Meanwhile, the park to be built on the sand ground in Kalshi area in Dhaka and the road from ECB Square to Kalshi Udal Bridge will be named after the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin-Hamad Al Thani. The Emir of Qatar himself will inaugurate both the facilities on the afternoon of April 23.

President Md. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin-Hamad Al Thani is visiting on 22 and 23 April 2024 at the invitation of Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He will lead a high-level delegation. This is the first high-level state visit from Middle Eastern countries since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed the government in January 2024.

In a press conference organized on the occasion of the visit of the Emir of Qatar Hasan Mahmud said that the existing relationship between Bangladesh and Qatar is very deep, friendly and versatile. Qatar was one of the Muslim countries that recognized Bangladesh in 1974 during the Bangabandhu era. Regarding the import of gas, the foreign minister said that Bangladesh imports gas from Saudi Arabia. The rest may also be offered to import gas from Qatar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar twice in March and May 2023, the bilateral relations between the two countries have reached a strong position. In continuation of this, Emir of Qatar is visiting Bangladesh.

Recently, with the aim of expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation through diplomatic communication and discussions at various levels with Qatar, areas such as trade, investment and employment creation, energy, aviation, agriculture, food security, climate change etc. have been identified.

The Emir of Qatar will arrive in Dhaka on a special plane this afternoon. President Md. Sahabuddin will welcome him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. At this time he will be given a guard of honour.

On the morning of April 23, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud will pay a courtesy call on the Emir of Qatar. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will first have a private meeting with the Emir of Qatar and later a formal bilateral meeting at Ganabhaban. After the meeting, six agreements and five memorandums of understanding will be signed between the two countries. The President will host a lunch courtesy of the Emir of Qatar at Sahabuddin Bangabhaban. He will leave Dhaka by special flight that evening.

The Emir of Qatar's visit is part of his Asia tour. Petroleum and natural gas-rich Qatar has the highest average per capita income. The country is considered an influential country in the Middle East due to its strong economy, geopolitical position and diplomatic activity and mediation.

Qatar is one of Bangladesh's labor markets in the Middle East, where nearly four lakh Bangladeshis are employed. Besides, Qatar is considered as a potential source of investment for Bangladesh, possessing a large amount of sovereign wealth funds. Moreover, Qatar is one of the most important sources of energy imports for Bangladesh. The upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar is therefore a big milestone for bilateral relations.

 

Comments (0)