UAE to consider BD’s manpower export, investment demands: Crown Prince

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan on Monday assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that his country will give due consideration to Bangladesh’s demands, including manpower export and increasing investment.

He made the assurance during a meeting with the Prime Minister at his Royal Palace.

After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed reporters where PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim was present.

He said there will be a foreign office consultation on Tuesday between the two countries. "This is very much unusual as normally a foreign office consultation doesn’t take place during the Prime Minister's visit," he said.

The foreign secretary mentioned that the UAE insisted that Bangladesh hold the consultation meeting at the technical level.

During the meeting, the Crown Prince invited the Prime Minister to attend a weekly meeting, called majlish, with the local representatives of his areas. At the majlish, he introduced the Prime Minister with local representatives.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan also offered the Prime Minister to sit beside him during the meeting time.

He said Sheikh Hasina was at the meeting for 30 minutes when both of them talked on many issues closely.

The issues include how the UAE could help Bangladesh in its development, further enhance investment in Bangladesh and how the UAE can help Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue.

The Prime Minister said some 40,000 Rohingya children were born in Bangladesh in the last 18 months.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince wanted to know about the possible way of solution to the issue, and enquired about how he could help Bangladesh develop community clinics.

The Prime Minister sought the UAE cooperation in repatriating around one million Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

Shahidul Haque said the UAE is always active over the issue. They will know what they can do for resolving the issue. “They’ll take new programmes to help Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya issue,” he added.

About the manpower issue, UNB news agency reports, the Crown Prince said they will discuss the matter, giving it utmost importance.

He said he will visit Bangladesh and wanted to know from the Prime Minister when it will be suitable for him to make the visit.

In reply, Sheikh Hasina said the winter season will be better for his visit. The Crown Prince said he can visit Bangladesh during the rainy season, too. "I have no problem from my side," he said.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan gave a picture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with his father that was taken during Bangabandhu's visit in Abu Dhabi to the Prime Minister as a gift.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had a meeting with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), when the latter highlighted the trade and business between Bangladesh and Dubai.

The Dubai ruler said the UAE identified Bangladesh as a big and new sector for their investment.

"He also said his country will consider the manpower issue openly," the Foreign Secretary said.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister gifted him the Bengali translation of his book 'My Vision'. He was very happy to get the book.