Dhaka, 29 September 2018:

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam held a meeting yesterday (28 September 2018) with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of UAE Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash in the margins of ongoing 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. During the meeting, while highlighting the potential economic opportunities in Bangladesh, the UAE Minister expressed interest to put in more investments into Bangladesh. In this regard, he sought cooperation of the government of Bangladesh in getting lands for establishing an exclusive economic zone for the UAE companies. State Minister Shahriar Alam welcomed the interest and mentioned that he would facilitate the UAE proposal. The UAE Minister also hoped that the trade between the countries would increase further in the days ahead. Md Shahriar Alam informed that the newly formed Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) could provide the UAE businesses with services they need to expand their investments and business in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh State Minister thanked the government of UAE for hosting a large number of expatriate Bangladeshi workers and requested the Minister to further opening up the job market for professional categories including doctors, engineers, architects and technical persons in the construction sector. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs is attending the 73rd session of the UNGA in New York as a member of the official delegation headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.