Dhaka is set to sign at least 11 deals with Doha on issues relating to investment promotion, cooperation in legal matters, establishment of joint business council, manpower and transfer of sentenced prisoners as Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is scheduled to arrive in the city today on a two-day state visit.
鈥楾he Qatar emir is expected to reach Dhaka on Monday afternoon by a special flight. During his visit, eleven instruments鈥攕ix agreements and five memorandums of understanding鈥攎ainly related to bilateral investments, manpower, port operations, cooperation in legal matters and transfer of sentenced prisoners are readied for signing,鈥� foreign minister Hasan Mahmud told a curtain raiser press conference at his Segunbagicha office on Sunday.
The high-level visit would be of much significance since Qatar is an influential Arab nation and an important source of fuel oil imports for Bangladesh, he said, adding that this would be the first high-level visit to Bangladesh from an Arab nation since the present government of Sheikh Hasina took charge following the January 7 general elections.
The six draft agreements are related to the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion, cooperation in legal matters, carriage of goods by sea, mutual investment promotion and protection, exchange of sentenced persons and formation of a joint business council, the minister mentioned.
The five MoUs relate to manpower, port management, higher education and scientific research, cooperation in youth and sports affairs, and cooperation in diplomatic training, according to the minister.
The minister said that the employment of more Bangladeshi workers would be an obvious subject of discussion with Qatar already hosting around four lakh Bangladesh workers.
He said that export of Bangladeshi goods like ceramic items, leather products and pharmaceuticals will be highlighted in the discussion with the Qatari delegation.
Procurement of fuel oil on deferred payments would also be discussed with Qatar, the minister replied to a question.
Asked about the number of sentenced prisoners and detained Bangladeshi nationals in Qatar, the minister said that he had to check it for exact figures.
Officials, however, said that more than 100 sentenced Bangladeshis are languishing in Qatari jails.
The foreign minister said that the relation between the two countries has achieved a strong position through the visits of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Qatar twice in March and May in 2023 and in continuation of this, the Qatar emir is visiting Bangladesh.
The foreign minister said that the current situation in the Middle East and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Israeli forces in Gaza are also likely to be discussed during the visit. 鈥楤angladesh always stands by the people of Palestine鈥ot only Bangladesh, the whole world wants an end to the war in Gaza,鈥� the foreign minister said.
Meanwhile, Dhaka is ready to welcome the Qatar emir as the high-level visit is taking place nearly 19 years after the last tour by then emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in 2005.
Ahead of the visit, many of the Dhaka city streets have been decorated with the portraits of Qatar emir, along with those of Bangladesh president and prime minister.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will receive the emir amid gun salute and a wider ceremony at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reports.
On Tuesday morning, prime minister Sheikh Hasina will receive the emir at her office.
The two leaders will witness the signing of cooperation deals and join a joint press meet.
After signing the visitors鈥� book there, the emir will head for Bangabhaban where the president will receive him.
President Shahabuddin will host an official lunch in honour of the emir at Bangabhaban Darbar Hall, according to the BSS report.
Foreign minister Hasan Mahmud will also have a courtesy meeting with the emir.
A road and a park in the capital will be named after the emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The emir will inaugurate the park at Kalshi of Mirpur under Dhaka North City Corporation and a road running from Mirpur ECB Chattar to Kalshi Flyover.
The emir will have a private meeting with the selected business community members at his place of residence.
He is scheduled to depart from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a special flight at 6:00pm on Tuesday.