The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Bangladesh, Abdulla Ali Khaseif AlHmoudi paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office room in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat on Saturday.

During the meeting, detailed discussions took place on various issues of mutual interest including law and order and security issues, prevention of human trafficking, export of skilled manpower including drivers and gardeners from Bangladesh and arranging necessary training for them, increasing UAE investment and trade in Bangladesh, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

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The UAE Ambassador said that Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates are very close and long-standing friendly nations. Currently, around 2 million Bangladeshi migrants are working with high reputation in the UAE, contributing significantly to the economies of both countries.

He noted that there is currently a huge demand for skilled drivers and gardeners in his country, and the UAE is particularly interested in recruiting trained manpower from Bangladesh in these fields.

The Ambassador further informed that according to the UAE's state policy, specifically for the recruitment of drivers, undergoing a six-month specialized training course is mandatory.

Assuring the Ambassador of the Bangladesh government's full support in sending trained and skilled manpower to the UAE, the Home Minister said that both countries could jointly organize a six-month international-standard driver training course in Bangladesh.

Those who successfully complete this training could be recruited as skilled drivers in the UAE.

The Minister placed special emphasis on introducing a uniform driver training course for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) or Gulf countries, and assured the Ambassador that a proposal regarding this would be sent to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh for taking necessary steps.

Ambassador AlHmoudi expressed his optimism about taking the bilateral relations to new heights by further expanding the scope of cooperation with Bangladesh. He informed that various leading companies of the UAE are interested in making large-scale investments in Bangladesh's IT and emerging sectors, including cyber security. Sincerely welcoming the UAE's investment interest, the Minister said that Bangladesh is fully prepared to extend any kind of cooperation to the UAE in this regard.

The meeting also featured discussions on the joint efforts of both countries to prevent and suppress human trafficking.

The Ambassador informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the human trafficking issue between the two countries is finalized and ready for signature.

In response, the Home Minister suggested that a comprehensive 'Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty' could be signed between the two countries, which would encompass all types of criminal matters, including human trafficking prevention.

The Minister expressed hope that this treaty would further consolidate the legal and security cooperation between the two nations.

Additional Secretary of the Political Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Branch Rebeka Khan, and Deputy Secretary of the Political-1 Section Begum Minara Nazmin, among others, were also present.