Bangladesh, UAE likely to sign at least four MoUs during PM Hasina’s visit

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are likely to sign four to five MoUs during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to the Gulf nation to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the media on different aspects of the visit at state guesthouse Padma on Sunday, reports BSS.

He said Bangladesh wants to enhance trade and investment between the two countries through more collaboration.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams were also present.

Before the media briefing, the foreign minister had a meeting with relevant ministers and PM's Private Sector and Industry Adviser Salman F Rahman at the same venue.

Hasina is scheduled to leave for UAE on Monday as the two countries eye to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership with deeper political engagement.

She is going to the UAE at the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates.

Trade and commerce; investment, manpower, and cooperation in other potential areas will be discussed during the visit.

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates have already reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in view of the visit of the prime minister to the UAE.

Momen held a bilateral meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah-bin-Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai last month and discussed the issues of mutual interest and upcoming visit.

The two countries acknowledge the existing “excellent” bilateral relations and underlined the need to work together in all potential areas for the mutual benefits of the two peoples.

The two countries are discussing ways to enhance air and maritime connectivity, especially establishing direct shipping links between the two countries’ seaports and introducing direct cargo flights to maintain seamless and uninterrupted supply chains.

The two countries are also willing to explore new contours of collaboration in the field of agriculture and food security, culture, cooperation in the field of science, innovation and technology with focus on ICT, IoT and digitalization in order to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership.