The United Arab Emirates  will continue its cooperation with Bangladesh in the development of its infrastructure and sea ports for mutual benefits. The UAE's newly appointed ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali  AlHmoudi said this during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Wednesday (May 17, 2023).  Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. The UAE envoy said that his county will carry forward the friendship and  cooperation with Bangladesh for economic development. Also Read: Economic cooperation needed among countries in South and Southeast Asia: PM tells outgoing Korean envoy Ali AlHmoudi apprised the prime minister about his meeting with Bangladesh's state minister of civil aviation and tourism regarding the cooperation in the aviation sector. The ambassador recalled that the foundation of the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and the UAE was laid by fathers of the two nations Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through a visit to the Gulf nation by Bangabandhu in 1974. Later, Sheikh Nahyan also visited Dhaka in 1984 and played a very pivotal role in establishing solid foundation of the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries, he added. Also Read: PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it During the meeting, the prime minister highly appreciated the UAE leadership as they are going to host the COP-28 summit meeting in November next in Dubai. About Bangladeshi expatriates working in the UAE and Middle Eastern countries, she put emphasis on learning Arabic language by those seeking to go there for jobs. The PM welcomed the new UAE envoy in Dhaka and assured him of providing all cooperation during his stay in Bangladesh. Hasina also conveyed her best wishes to the UAE leadership through the ambassador. Read More: Community clinics model: UN adopts resolution highlighting Sheikh Hasina initiative Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to implement ‘e-Visa/e/-TA’ in the capital on Tuesday (October 18, 2022). Security Services Division under Home Ministry Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury and UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdullah Khaseif Al Hamoudi singed the MoU on behalf of the respective countries with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the chair at a programme at the conference room of the ministry. Minister Asaduzzaman said the initiative to implement ‘e-Visa/e/-TA’ system on the basis of ‘G2G’ was taken through the MoU sign. Read: Bangladesh, UAE sign four MoUs on big projects Terming the MoU as a big achievement in the bilateral relations of the countries, he said the day (MoU signing day) will be marked as a milestone for Bangladesh and the UAE in digitalisation of the country’s ‘e-visa’ system. Describing UAE as a tested-friend, he said Bangladeshi workers have been playing an important role in the development of the both countries over the time. The minister said the UAE is one of the main investment partners of Bangladesh and mutual respect and significant cooperation between the countries is the historic base of the bilateral relations.   Read UAE Golden Visa, Green Visa, Job Visa 2022: How to apply He said the implementation of the ‘e-visa’ is one the significant pledges of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to digitalise the country as the current government has underscored on the use of digital technology. Asaduzzaman said the security services division will be able to provide online visa service once the ‘e-visa’ system is implemented. He hoped that number of foreign tourists and investment will be boosted to a great extent after the ‘e-visa’ is launched in the country. Read Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Who's eligible for Malaysian Golden Visa or Investor Visa The minister thanked the UAE government for their support to implement the ‘e-visa’ system.