The first consular consultations between Bangladesh and the UAE were held in Abu Dhabi Wednesday.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, secretary (east) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Senior officials from the ministry, representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi, as members, joined the consultations.
The UAE delegation was led by Faisal Essa Lutfi, assistant undersecretary, Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of the UAE.
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They discussed consular issues related to Bangladesh nationals living and working in the UAE as well as their welfare. It also covered the area of easing the visa renewal process, regularisation of over-stayers, cooperation in the area of combating human trafficking, and money laundering.
It was decided that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form the legal framework for a joint consular committee would be concluded soon for holding such meetings on a regular basis on a larger scale with wider participation and broader agenda.