The Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday approved the draft on an agreement between the governments of the Maldives and Bangladesh on ‘transfer of prisoners’. The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar. “Once these are done, we will be able to bring back our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters who have been sentenced in the Maldives or Qatar,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters while briefing the media at Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening. Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing. Bangladesh currently has agreements on ‘transfer of sentenced persons’ with India, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Bangladesh received a draft agreement on ‘transfer of prisoners’ from the Maldives in 2015 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Once the proposed agreement is signed, Bangladesh will be able to bring back its citizens from the Maldives who are sentenced and imprisoned. The agreement will be in force for 10 years and it can be renewed for another 10 years if the two countries agree. The Council of Advisers also in principle approved a proposal for ratification of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Bangladesh and Qatar. The agreement with Qatar was signed between the two governments on April 23 this year during Qatar Emir’s visit to Bangladesh. The agreement will remain in force for one year and if neither part expresses willingness to end it, it will remain in force for another year.    

A passenger suspected of having mpox (monkeypox) at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon landing on Friday (August 23, 2024) has tested negative today. The passenger, hailing from Cumilla, arrived in Dhaka on August 23 at 9:20 am aboard a Qatar Airways flight. Upon arrival, airport health services flagged him as a potential mpox case due to his symptoms. Read more: Mpox: Common Signs and Symptoms The man was immediately transported by ambulance to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali. Dhaka for further examination. Dr. Ariful Bashar of the hospital confirmed that the patient was being tested and promised to provide further information once results were available. Today, tests confirmed that the man does not have mpox, easing concerns raised by the initial diagnosis. Read more: What is Mpox? How does it affect people?

Bangladesh and Qatar want to expand the existing ties with broader cooperation in the areas of manpower, energy, trade and investment following the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Bangladesh next month. The two countries are in discussion to finalise nearly a dozen of cooperation documents which will be signed during the visit, said a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two-day visit is likely to take place on April 21-22, he said.  The two sides are now working on the MoUs and agreements that will be signed after the Emir’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas are expected to resume Sunday in Qatar The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss various aspects of the visit. In March last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha. She sought increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet the energy demands. The State of Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign State on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974. Qatar assures support for Bangladesh's media sector development Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982. Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are based on mutual respect, shared values, common religious ground, shared culture, and tradition. People-to-people contacts bolstered by more than four hundred thousand Bangladeshi workers who are highly appreciated as disciplined and hardworking is one of the dominant features of bilateral relations, according to the MoFA. Bangladesh and Qatar consider each other as brotherly countries and important development partners in materialising Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and Qatar’s vision 2030. Read more: Bangladesh ambassador accredited to Hungary presents credentials to Hungarian president

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Sunday after a 3-day official visit to Qatar. During the 3-day official visit, the Army Chief enjoyed the semi-final and final games of the '18th AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™' held in Qatar and observed various events of the 'World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024'. Shab-e-Barat on February 25 Besides, the army chief also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries and discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, says an Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release. Anita Ghazi Rahman joins Brac Bank as independent director The Chief of Army Staff went to Qatar on February 7 at the invitation of Qatar Olympic Committee and President of Local Organizing Committee Joan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud had a series of meetings on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala, Uganda on January 19-20. He had the meetings with Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Minister of Nepal, Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of Botswana, and Sergei Aleinik, Foreign Minister of Belarus. At NAM Summit Dhaka seeks support for Palestine, redoubling efforts for Rohingya repatriation In a busy day in Kampala, the Foreign Minister had meetings with State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikh and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Pahala Nugraha Mansury. His counterparts congratulated the new government in Bangladesh and, particularly, Dr. Hasan Mahmud for assuming his new role. FM Hasan Mahmud to deliver national statement at NAM Summit  The Foreign Minister discussed various issues of mutual interests including political, economic and strengthening people to people relations. He is set to have a few more bilateral engagements today and Sunday. Hasan Mahmud is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the third South Summit of the G77 and China scheduled on 21-22 January 2024. FM Hasan Mahmud to lead Bangladesh delegation at South Summit in Uganda Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Muhammad A Muhith and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya and Uganda Muhammad Tareque among others are accompanying the Foreign Minister.

Qatar Charity (QC), an international charity organisation, implemented 1,391 development, humanitarian and social welfare projects in Bangladesh, benefitting 342,603 people in 2023. The charity implemented these projects in parts of the country giving priority to vulnerable communities and justifying their actual necessities. Maiden session of 12th Jatiya Sangshad set for January 30 It also provided humanitarian support throughout the year to the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island, said a press release on Monday. Among the projects, in the field of water and sanitation, in 2023, the agency implemented 1,282 projects to install deep tube wells, solar-driven water pumps, and technology-based water purifiers, and 101 projects were implemented in the field of education, economic empowerment and development across the country. WHO launches appeal for US$1.5 billion for key emergencies in 2024 The organisation implemented 2 seasonal relief projects--Ramadan and Qurbani—for needy families, including orphans, widows, and refugees which benefitted 103,970. As a humanitarian response, the QC provided food and non-food relief aid for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasanchar, benefitting more than 150,000. Cabinet approves President’s speech to commence 12th Jatiya Sangshad Apart from these, the QC sponsored 4668 orphans under its social welfare programme, aiming to impart education and fulfil their basic needs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home Thursday (May 25, 2023) morning wrapping up her three-day official visit to Qatar. A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:58am. She went to Qatar on May 22 last to attend the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) at the invitation of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Also read: PM leaves Doha for home ending 3-day visit During the visit, Hasina joined the Qatar Economic Forum, met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Amiri Diwan, held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and held a meeting with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. Besides, Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi met her as well as Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih and Saudi Minister Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim jointly called on her. Sheikh Hasina also addressed the students of Qatar University and visited Awsaj Academy, a specialized school for the children with special needs, which runs under Qatar Foundation here in Doha. Read more: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum here in Doha on Tuesday (May 23, 2023) morning. The forum is being held at Fairmont & Raffles hotels in Lusail city on May 23-25. Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Monday to attend the forum at the invitation of Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Also read: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon The main objective of the forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them. Later on Tuesday, she will deliver her speech before the students of Qatar University, have meetings separately with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih, and attend Qatar Economic Forum Gala Dinner. Also read: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday (May 22, 2023) said the two-time visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Qatar within three months this year bear the sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in the international economic arena as well as its close friendly relations with Qatar. He made the remarks at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hours ahead of the Prime Minister’s departure for Doha to attend Qatar Economic Forum-2023. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, among others, was present. This forum will focus on nine important contemporary issues, Dr Momen said. These issues include energy security; technology and innovation; changing market systems; innovation in the health sector; climate finance; trade strategies and arrangements; manpower in the fourth industrial revolution; sports in the digital world; and the future of foreign investment, he said. Read more: ‘Very strange, no source mentioned’: Momen on report claiming new sanctions are coming According to the organizers, prominent economists and leading business leaders of the world will participate in the discussion on these issues. In addition to Minister Momen, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources along with senior government officials will participate. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha on Monday afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:13 pm. Read more: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time). The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” to be held on May 23-25. The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment. The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them. Read more: PM Hasina to leave for Doha on Monday to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023 On May 23, Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih. On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with the emir of Qatar at Amiri Diwan and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school). PM Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25. Read more: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha on Monday (May 22, 2023) afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. A regular commercial flight of , Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:13 pm. The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time). The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” to be held on May 23-25. Read more: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment. The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them. On May 23, Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih. On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with the emir of Qatar at Amiri Diwan and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school). PM Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25. Read more: PM’s 2nd visit to Qatar in 3 months bears sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in int’l arena: Momen