United News of Bangladesh

Describing the young people as the most powerful generation in human history, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday encouraged them to imagine and dream big and turn themselves as ‘three-zero persons’. "I feel very comfortable when I visit any university campuses. I feel rejuvenated. You are the most powerful generation in human history. I feel this honestly. You are the supermen and superwomen," said Prof Yunus, who created microcredit, invented social business and earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in alleviating poverty. The Chief Adviser visited Qatar University in the morning and delivered an inspirational speech on the topic titled ‘A World of Three Zeros’. He encouraged the students not to do anything that might contribute to wealth concentration but to dream and imagine creating a new world by getting out of a self-destructive approach. Want to be world’s top manufacturing country: Prof Yunus At the beginning, Prof Yunus was given an honorary award for his outstanding contributions to global humanity. Prof Yunus, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and bestselling author of Banker to the Poor, offered his vision of an emerging new economic system that can save humankind and the planet. "Keep trying to reach the destination. But you must have to dream and imagine. You have to have a dream," the Chief Adviser told the Qatar University students. "If you imagine, it will help. Don't ignore imagination," he added.

Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today (Thursday) to discuss the issues of mutual interest, as both countries eye stronger economic cooperation. "Qatar's Prime Minister is a hugely respected person globally. We expect that the meeting will be a successful one," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB ahead of the meeting. He was appointed Prime Minister on 7 March 2023 and Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2016. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday morning (10:50am, Doha time). Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative to Chief Adviser and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed and Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Nazrul Islam will also attend the meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and the Qatari Prime Minister. The Chief Adviser visited Qatar University on Thursday morning and delivered an inspirational speech on the topic titled "A World of Three Zeros."

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held a closed-door meeting with several prominent foreign investors in the Qatari capital, aiming to attract investment in some of the country’s key sectors. Addressing the investors, the Chief Adviser said the interim government aims to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing and economic hub, welcoming all forms of foreign investment. Want your partnership, says Prof Yunus urging Qatari investors to invest in Bangladesh "We want to be a top manufacturing country in the world," he said, emphasising that his government is offering one of the most attractive investment climates in the region. The gathering included notable figures such as a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Maldives, a member of the Malaysian royal family, a former Malaysian minister, a Qatari royal family member, top bankers and several wealthy non-resident Bangladeshis. The investors expressed interest in exploring opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, waste management, energy, banking and tourism—particularly in the resort district of Cox’s Bazar. The Chief Adviser encouraged the investors to visit Bangladesh and engage in discussions with the relevant agencies. Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present during the meeting.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said Qatar would take 725 soldiers from Bangladesh as Bangladesh is exploring diverse areas for further strengthening the relations with the gas-rich Gulf kingdom. Talking to UNB on the sidelines of the Erthana Summit-2025, Alam said Bangladesh can send the soldiers by next two months. He said there will be efforts to increase the numbers in the future. Alam said Bangladesh is seeking greater cooperation in the energy sector with Qatar as Bangladesh is seeing an increased number of investors who will need gas. Since there is a long-term agreement with Qatar on LNG import, Press Secretary Alam said Bangladesh will have a discussion on greater energy sector cooperation. He said Bangladesh will clear dues worth $37 million within the next couple of days in Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) import bills owed to the Qatar state owned energy giant Qatar Energy LNG. The Press Secretary said the relationship between Bangladesh and Qatar will further be strengthened in the coming days. Highlighting Prof Yunus' busy schedule here, Alam said the Chief Adviser highlighted the role of social business, financial inclusion, and microfinance in fostering sustainable development and economic opportunities for marginalized communities while delivering his 20 minutes keynote speech at the Earthna Summit-2025. Prof Yunus shares five key initiatives for sustainable future at Earthna Summit He relentlessly devotes his time and energy to inspire people into creating a world of 3 Zeros - zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty once for all and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in everyone. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, are accompanying the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus held a meeting with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, mother of Amir of the State of Qatar and Chairperson of Qatar Foundation on the sidelines of Earthna Summit. He also held a meeting with Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Fund For Development. Prof Yunus held a separate meeting with Nawaf Abdullah Al Hammadi, Assistant CEO for International Operations Sector of Qatar Charity. Prof Yunus attended the lunch hosted by Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar will meet the Chief Adviser and will discuss issues of mutual interest. Al Jazeera has invited the Chief Adviser to its headquarters where they will interview him, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said. Acting Managing Director, Director of News, Managers of input and output will receive the Chief Adviser there. Qatar Foundation media team will also interview Prof Yunus. In the evening on Tuesday (5:30pm to 6:30pm), Prof Yunus will attend a private business reception in honor of his visit. He is scheduled to discuss the issues of mutual interest with the leadership of the gas-rich Gulf kingdom. Earthna Summit: Qatari ministers, global dignitaries extend warm welcome to Prof Yunus Bangladesh is eyeing a stronger economic cooperation with Qatar and greater engagement in the energy sector. The Chief Adviser is paying the visit at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Dr Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and the Deputy Prime Minister in addition to other engagements. He said there will be an investment Summit on April 23 from which Bangladesh expects positive response. Bangladesh stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. He said there will be an event on the Rohingya issue where global stakeholders will participate. Alam hoped that the Rohingya issue would be brought back to global attention as there are efforts from the interim government.