State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday expressed concern over challenges facing Bangladeshi expatriates in the UAE and sought its support in addressing their difficulties.
She raised the issue when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdulla Alhmoudi called on her, reports BSS.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a broad range of issues of mutual interest aimed at further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and the UAE.
The state minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, orderly and transparent migration and safeguarding the welfare and legitimate interests of Bangladeshi nationals living abroad.
She also conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness to host the second Bangladesh-UAE Joint Consular Committee Meeting in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date in 2026. The proposed meeting is expected to discuss consular and migration-related matters and explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in these areas.
The two sides also reviewed the growing economic partnership between Bangladesh and the UAE and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, ports, information and communication technology (ICT), and other areas of mutual interest.
They underscored the importance of expediting negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to provide a robust framework for expanding bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.
Both sides also agreed to activate the Bangladesh-UAE Joint Business Council and convene its meeting at a mutually convenient time.
The UAE Ambassador expressed appreciation to the Bangladesh government for its support in facilitating the inscription of Wadi Wurayah National Park on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the recent session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close engagement and further deepening the multifaceted Bangladesh-UAE partnership for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples.
