Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries for mutual benefits.

They reached the consensus at a bilateral meeting held between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum here on Tuesday.

The two leaders led their respective teams during the meeting at Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters after the meeting.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai, stressed the need for increasing the frequency of Emirates flights between the two countries.

Read: Bangladesh, UAE sign four MoUs

In reply, Sheikh Hasina said her government is now constructing the 3rd terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. “We’re trying to enhance our capacity to this end,” she added.

Hasina said the UAE has plenty of trade and investment scopes in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh PM lauded the UAE government for successfully tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum appreciated the Bangladesh government. “You’ve done well (over Covid-19 management), '' he was quoted as saying.

Hasina also praised the ruler of Dubai for making an extraordinary development in Dubai.

When the Dubai Ruler talked about development of Bangladesh, she said, “We’ve a lot of scope for further development.”

The UAE Vice President extended sincere thanks to his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina for visiting the UAE during celebration of the International Women’s Day.

Read: Dhaka, Abu Dhabi discuss bilateral issues

Chairperson of National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman F Rahman and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Foreign  Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Mohammed Abu Zafar, Director General of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) Major General Mohammad Maksudur Rahman, and President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI)  Md Jashim Uddin were present at the meeting from the Bangladesh side.