Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali ALHmoudi has said his country is keen to share its experiences with Bangladesh in the areas of civil aviation, ports and logistics, and defense partnership. Moreover, he said, the UAE remains focused on direct investment for strengthening mutual economic and business partnership. “I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the current interim government in all their efforts. I also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to working together for a better and more prosperous Bangladesh,” said UAE Ambassador on Monday.  Chief Adviser Yunus hopeful SAARC can give dividends to people of the region if revitalised Earlier, the UAE Embassy in Dhaka celebrated the 53rd Union Day amid festivities and enthusiasm. Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser AF Hassan Ariff attended the reception as the chief guest. Advisers, Ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, senior government officials, business persons, and representatives from the media, academic and social institutions also attended the ceremony. Ambassador Ali AlHmoudi said the UAE and Bangladesh enjoy deep-rooted historical relations and this year is unique and remarkable as both are celebrating the Golden Jubilee- 50 years of diplomatic relations. “We are looking forward to strategic partnership between the brotherly countries,” he added. The UAE Ambassador said it is a matter of pride that 1.2 million Bangladeshis are residing in the UAE, making significant contributions to both the UAE and Bangladesh. Bangladeshi brothers and sisters in the UAE are now sending the highest remittance for Bangladesh, he said.

The Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, recently liberated from Somali pirates, is scheduled to depart Al-Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh today (April 28, 2024) at noon, officials confirmed. The vessel, which had been hijacked for 33 days, successfully unloaded 55,000 metric tonnes of coal at Al-Hamriya Port yesterday. The owner, KSRM Group, announced that the vessel and its crew of 23 sailors are expected to arrive at Chattogram Port by mid-May. Mizanul Islam, a spokesperson for the Chattogram-based KSRM Group, reported that the loading operations were completed yesterday, and the vessel is now ready to embark on its journey back to Bangladesh. MV Abdullah reaches Dubai’s Al Hamriya Port MV Abdullah initially anchored at the UAE port on the evening of April 22, following its release from pirate captivity. Distinguished guests including Mohammad Abu Jafar, the Bangladesh Ambassador, and officials from SR Shipping, the vessel's operating company, were present to welcome the crew upon their arrival. The ship first arrived at the outer anchorage of the port on April 21, following its ordeal which began on March 12 when it was seized by Somali pirates about 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast en route from Mozambique to Dubai. The pirates took control of the vessel and its crew, holding them until a ransom of Tk 55 crore facilitated their release on the night of April 13. Family counting days for safe return of MV Abdullah's chief engineer Following the release, MV Abdullah headed to Al-Hamriya Port under the escort of an EU NAVFOR warship, navigating through approximately 480 nautical miles of high-risk areas along the Somali coast and the Red Sea before reaching the safety of the United Arab Emirates. This voyage marks a significant step towards recovery after the harrowing pirate attack, with the crew looking forward to a safe return to their homeland. Previous experience used to rescue MV Abdullah, crew: KSRM

Bangladesh will import 1.5 million (15 lakh) metric ton of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the year 2024. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a virtual meeting, with Finance Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal, in-principle approved a proposal in this regard. As per proposal of the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), moved by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the crude oil will be imported through direct purchase method (DPM) which means there was no tender or competitive bidding process in selecting the supplier. Dhaka urges Riyadh to consider crude or refined oil on deferred payment basis The proposal mentioned that Saudi Aramco and UAE-based Adnoc will supply the total crude petroleum. While briefing reporters about the outcomes of the Cabinet body's meeting, additional secretary of the Cabinet Division Sayeed Mahbub Khan informed that the cost or price of petroleum was not mentioned in the proposal as it came for in-principal approval. Bangladesh needs to import about 6.5 million metric ton of petroleum oil annually. Of this, about 1.5 million is crude and the remaining amount is refined petroleum. Glitch in brand new pipeline halts transfer of crude oil from mother vessel in Maheshkhali    The Cabinet body approved, in-principle, another proposal -- of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under the Department of Information and Communication Technology -- to appoint a private company for operation and maintenance work of its “Vision 2041 Smart Tower” in Kawranbazar, Dhaka. The company will operate the building under the "Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Eco-System" project after its construction work.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are among six nations invited Thursday (August 24, 2023) to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies. United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to join the bloc from 2024. The announcement was made at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country is the current BRICS chair. Also read: China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks BRICS is currently made up of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Those five members agreed at this week's summit to expand the bloc. It's the second time that BRICS has decided to expand. The bloc was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa was added in 2010. The BRICS bloc represents around 40% of the world's population and contributes more than a quarter of global GDP. Three of the group's other leaders are attending the summit and were present alongside Ramaphosa for the announcement, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Also read: BRICS: China, Russia and other emerging economies turn to main summit agenda in South Africa Russian President Vladimir Putin did not travel to the summit after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March for the abduction of children from Ukraine. He has participated in the summit virtually, while Russia was represented at the announcement in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

An advertising agency in the Philippines has apologised for using visuals of tourist attractions in other countries in a promotional film. Visuals from the ad included rice terraces in Indonesia, sand dunes in the United Arab Emirates, and a plane landing in Switzerland, reports BBC. The ad agency, DDB Philippines, apologised for the "unfortunate oversight," it said. Also read: Bangladesh’s first tourism master plan yet to be formulated, was supposed to be completed last Dec Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippines' tourism secretary, stated that public money was not utilised for the film. According to Frasco, the Department of Tourism frequently sought confirmation from the agency that the elements used in the ad were their own and unique, said the report. "ALL these occasions, DDB repeatedly assured the DOT that the originality and ownership of all materials are in order," she said. Also read: Master plan for tourism in Bangladesh to be formulated in Dec: State Minister It was created as part of the "Love the Philippines" campaign, which was launched in late June at a cost of $900,000, the BBC report added. Analysis by French news agency AFP and Philippine blogger Sass Rogando Sasot first revealed the use of visuals from other nations in the ad. Frasco stated that the department will ensure DDB Philippines accepts responsibility for the video. Also read: “We very much value and welcome tourists from Bangladesh” In its own response, DDB Philippines stated that the usage of stock material in mood films is common in the advertising industry, but it apologised for using other videos in this case, the report also said. “The use of foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate, and contradictory to the DOT's objectives,” it said. The video has been withdrawn, and the company has stated that it would cooperate with the Philippines tourism department's inquiry. Read more: These are the top 25 hotels in Asia, according to Tripadvisor

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.

Health authorities in the United Arab Emirates detected on Tuesday the country’s first case of the monkeypox virus in a young woman who traveled from West Africa. The government said little about the patient, but stressed that authorities were investigating her contacts and “taking all necessary measures” to limit the spread of monkeypox. The statement did not say where the case had been discovered in the federation of seven sheikhdoms, which includes the capital of Abu Dhabi and tourist hub of Dubai. Read: No Monkeypox cases detected in Bangladesh: BSMMU VC Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, authorities in the autocratic country similarly had declined to offer a geographic breakdown for COVID-19 cases. The diagnosis in the UAE marks the first reported case on the Arabian Peninsula. Israel recorded the first reported case in the Middle East earlier this week. The World Health Organization has identified over 100 cases globally. Read: New Monkeypox Outbreak: What We Know So Far Cases of the smallpox-related disease have previously been seen only among people with links to central and West Africa. But Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the U.S., Sweden and Canada all reported infections, mostly in young men who hadn’t previously traveled to Africa. France, Germany, Belgium and Australia have also identified cases. The virus originates in primates and other wild animals and causes fever, body aches, chills and fatigue in most patients. People with severe cases can develop a rash and lesions on the face, hands and other parts of the body.

Yemen’s exiled president stepped aside and transferred his powers to a presidential council on Thursday, as international and regional efforts to end the country’s long-running civil war gained momentum with a two-month truce. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, major players in the conflict appear to have played a role in President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's decision, quickly welcoming it with a pledge of $3 billion in aid. The head of the new council has close ties to Riyadh. Whether the switch will expedite an end to the grinding war remains to be seen, as U.N.-sponsored negotiations have been at an impasse and fighting, airstrikes and missile attacks continued until late last month. The Houthis did not immediately comment on Hadi's announcement. Also read: Yemen rebels strike oil depot in Saudi city hosting F1 race Peter Salisbury, Yemen expert at the International Crisis Group, described the power transfer as “A Big Deal.” The development, he tweeted, is the “most consequential shift in the inner workings of the anti-Houthi bloc since war began.” Hadi, 76, said the newly established council will run the internationally recognized government and lead negotiations with the Iranian-backed Houthis, according to a statement aired on state-run media. The move is meant to unify the anti-Houthi camp after years of infighting and disputes, and was almost certainly orchestrated in Riyadh, where Yemeni factions were meeting over the past week to discuss efforts to end the war. “With this declaration a Presidential Leadership Council shall be established to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period. I irreversibly delegate to the Presidential Leadership Council my full powers,” Hadi declared on Yemen’s state-run TV. Hadi also sacked Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a powerful military figure, and also delegated al-Ahmar’s powers to the presidential council. The presidential council is chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, an advisor to Hadi and former interior minister with the government of late strongman President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Al-Alimi enjoys close ties with Saudi Arabia and other political groups inside Yemen, including the powerful Islah party — the transnational Muslim Brotherhood’s branch in Yemen. The council has seven other members, all whom have political and military influence on the ground in Yemen. That includes Aydarous al-Zubaidi, head of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council — an umbrella group of heavily armed and well-financed militias propped up by the UAE since 2015. Sheikh Sultan al-Aradah, the powerful governor of energy-rich Marib province, was also named a member of the council. So was Tariq Saleh, a militia leader and nephew of the late president who has close ties with the UAE. Hadi was named president of Yemen in 2012 with a mission to oversee a democratic transition following its Arab Spring uprising that ended Saleh's longtime rule. However, the Houthis, a religious movement turned rebel militia, allied with Saleh and seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, forcing Hadi and his government into exile in Saudi Arabia. Months later, Saudi Arabia formed a military coalition and entered the war to try to restore Hadi’s government to power. The conflict has in recent years become a regional proxy war that has killed more than 150,000 people, including over 14.500 civilians. It has also created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Welcoming Hadi's move, Saudi Arabia urged the presidential council to embark on U.N.-led negotiations with the Houthis to find a “political, final and comprehensive” settlement to the conflict, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also met with the council head and its members, according to Saudi state-run TV. Also read:UAE intercepts Yemen missile as Israeli president visits The warring sides announced a two-month cease-fire earlier this month, the first nationwide truce in Yemen in six years. Hadi’s announcement came as Yemeni talks called by the Saudi-based Gulf Cooperation Council entered their final day on Thursday. The Houthis boycotted the GCC-facilitated efforts because they're taking place in Saudi Arabia, their adversary’s territory. Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a statement welcoming Hadi's decision and hailing the aid package pledged by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates have reviewed the bilateral relations ahead of expected visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the UAE in March as the two countries eye to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership. The Prime Minister will visit the UAE at the invitation of her UAE counterpart and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen held a bilateral meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah-bin-Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai on Sunday and discussed the issues of mutual interest and upcoming visit. Also read: Bangladesh seeks investment from expatriate business community in UAE Dr Momen congratulated the UAE leadership and people on their 50th anniversary of their nationhood while appreciating the spectacular achievements during the last five decades. Two Foreign Ministers agreed to organize some special events to mark the twin golden jubilee of nationhood of Bangladesh and UAE, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Both the Foreign Ministers recalled the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and underlined the need to work together in all areas of cooperation to the mutual benefits of the two peoples. Among the issues, they highlighted mutual commitment to deeper political engagement, cooperation in trade, commerce, investment and economic areas, enhanced air and maritime connectivity especially establishing direct shipping links between the two countries’ seaports and introducing direct cargo flights to maintain seamless and uninterrupted supply chains. Both the Foreign Ministers also agreed to explore new contours of collaboration in the field of agriculture and food security, culture, cooperation in the field of science, innovation and technology with focus on ICT, IoT and digitalization in order to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership. Also read: FM to visit UAE from Feb 10-13 to attend series of events The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on the regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. Dr Momen briefed the UAE Foreign Minister of the situation arising out of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh and sought continued cooperation and support of the UAE for an early resolution of the crisis. He extended an invitation to the UAE Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at his convenience which was graciously accepted by Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Foreign Minister Dr Momen led a seven-member delegation to the UAE on a bilateral visit from February 10-13. During his stay in Abu Dhabi, Dr Momen also met the Director General, IRENA and attended several programmes including the Bangladesh Business Council meeting in Dubai and seminar organized at Dubai EXPO 2020 by Bangladesh Tourism Board, seminar at Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, in Abu Dhabi. He also inaugurated the Bangabandhu Corner at Bangladesh Consulate, Dubai and visited a Skill Development Centre for Bangladeshi workers there.