Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday underscored the importance of expediting negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would provide a robust framework for enhancing bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.

Both sides also agreed to activate the Joint Business Council and to convene its meeting at a mutually convenient time.

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdulla AlHmoudi called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the two sides held fruitful discussions on a broad range of issues of mutual interest with a view to further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and the UAE.

The State Minister expressed concern over the challenges currently faced by Bangladeshi expatriates in the UAE and sought the Ambassador's support in addressing these issues.

She reaffirmed the government of Bangladesh's commitment to ensuring safe, orderly and transparent migration, as well as to safeguarding the welfare and legitimate interests of Bangladeshi nationals residing abroad.

The State Minister also conveyed Bangladesh's readiness to host the Second Bangladesh–UAE Joint Consular Committee Meeting in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date in 2026 to discuss consular and migration-related matters and to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in these areas.

The two sides reviewed the growing economic partnership between Bangladesh and the UAE and reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, ports, information and communication technology (ICT), and other sectors of mutual interest.

The UAE Ambassador expressed appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for its valuable 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 partnership between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates for the mutual benefit of the two friendly countries and their peoples.