Dhaka: Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday engaged in discussions aimed at accelerating negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and bolstering cooperation in various sectors such as trade, energy, infrastructure, and Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The dialogue took place during a meeting between UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi and Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meeting emphasized the ongoing and strategic partnership between the two nations. The Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the greetings from the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and reiterated Bangladesh’s dedication to enhancing bilateral relations under the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy. The goal is to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership.
The Foreign Minister also acknowledged the UAE’s role in hosting approximately 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates. He requested the reopening of labor visas and the facilitation of increased mobility, including business and transit visas, to further strengthen ties. Both sides expressed a commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors and fostering people-to-people connections for mutual benefit.
Earlier discussions between the UAE Ambassador and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam focused on the importance of high-level visits and regular meetings of existing bilateral platforms. These engagements aim to identify opportunities and advance cooperation between Bangladesh and the UAE for mutual benefit.