Seeking greater a investment and stronger economic cooperation, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday offered a dedicated exclusive economic zone for any kind of investment, including plants for defence equipment, as the South Asian country wants to emerge as an economic and manufacturing hub for mutual benefits.

"You can set up your factories in Bangladesh," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as conveying to the Qatari side during his meetings.

Alam said it can be anything -- any factory -- labour intensive factory or defence equipment factory.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing.

Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister Dr Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani met the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Defence and discussed the issues of cooperation between the two countries.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus was given a ceremonial guard of honour by Qatari Armed Forces ahead of the meeting with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs.

Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry

Sheikh Faisal bin Al Thani also the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce was also present.

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The Chief Adviser called for deeper economic cooperation with Qatar, inviting Qatari investment across key sectors and offering an exclusive economic zone in Bangladesh dedicated to manufacturers from the kingdom.

During a high-level meeting and luncheon hosted by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dr Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Chief Adviser emphasized  Bangladesh’s readiness to facilitate Qatari industrial ventures through streamlined investment opportunities and infrastructure support.

He expressed gratitude for Qatar's decision to recruit 725 Bangladeshi troops and urged for expanded recruitment to strengthen the Qatari security forces.

Later, at a separate meeting with Qatar’s Commerce Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Al Thani in Lusail City, the Chief Adviser discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment.

He highlighted opportunities in Bangladesh’s transportation, banking, and hospitality sectors, noting that recent economic reforms have significantly improved the country’s investment climate.

"Our aim is to turn Bangladesh into an economic and manufacturing hub," the Chief Adviser said.

In the afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Qawari hosted the Chief Adviser for a tea party, where discussions focused on mutual interests, particularly enhancing manpower cooperation through increased recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.

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In the morning, the Chief Adviser joined a high-level meeting on the Rohingya crisis.

He called for redoubling global efforts to put focus on the plight of the long-persecuted Myanmar Muslim community.

Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, the CEO of the Qatar Foundation, spoke at the meeting.

She also expressed her willingness to visit Bangladesh soon.

The Chief Adviser was accompanied by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed.