Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen today said Dhaka wants to further deepen its relation with Qatar for getting more energy from the world’s largest LNG export nation as well as ensuring well being of Bangladeshi expatriates working there.
“We want more energy from Qatar … we want to make the relation deepen,” he said at a media briefing at foreign ministry hours before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure for Doha to attend the Qatar Economic Forum-2023 from May 23 to 24.
He said the two-time visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Doha 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.
During the last visit of PM, the foreign minister said Dhaka wanted to import more LNG from Qatar to ensure Bangladesh’s energy need amid ongoing global economic crisis.
Momen said that the negotiation between Dhaka and Doha to import more LNG gas has been going on while the issue would be discussed during this visit. “They (Qatar) have already shown positive sign (to export LN to Bangladesh),” he added.
On the sideline of the economic forum, Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna will hold a meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih will also call on Bangladesh Premier during the visit.
Momen said the 3rd economic forum will focus on nine important contemporary issues - 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.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha this afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar 3RD Economic Forum-2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar.
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the Premier and her entourage members, took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 3.13pm.
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 out a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crisis going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
On May 23, Sheikh Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd QEF and address the students of Qatar University in Doha.
On May 24, the Premier will join the QEF, have a meeting with Emir of Qatar and visit Awsaj Academy, a specialised school.
The Prime Minister is expected to return home in the morning of May 25.
The Premier entourage included Foreign Minister, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and senior government officials.
Foreign ministry’s Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin was also present at the briefing.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha