CA hails UAE investment proposals

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for the significant progress made towards resuming visa issuance for Bangladeshi nationals. He also welcomed investment proposals from the country in various sectors.

Prof Yunus conveyed his gratitude to Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, cabinet minister of tolerance and coexistence of the UAE, who led a high-level delegation during a meeting with the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The UAE delegation, headed by Al Nahyan — also a former minister for higher education — arrived in Dhaka on a short visit at 2:45pm. The delegation was received by the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, state minister for foreign affairs in the UAE, and Mohammad Abdul Rahman Alhawi, undersecretary of the investment ministry, were also part of the delegation.

“I am here under the instruction of our president to express solidarity and underline our friendship with Bangladesh,” Al Nahyan told the chief adviser, adding, “We appreciate the enhanced dialogue that our two governments have been fostering in recent times. We wish to assure and collaborate in all areas — from investment to visas.”

In response, Yunus said, “We welcome the engagement and support. We also welcome investments across a range of industries.”

Acknowledging the easing of visa restrictions, he added, “Thank you for opening the door. A few steps still need to be taken. We hope that we’ll remain engaged and resolve those.”

The UAE has recently begun issuing 30 to 50 visit visas daily, while bulk visas for business delegations have also been expedited in recent weeks. Additionally, the country’s human resources ministry has reactivated its online visa system for skilled workers.

Visas for marketing managers, hotel staff and others have been issued through this route in recent weeks. Furthermore, 500 visas for security guards have already been issued, with another 1,000 pending issuance.

UAE Ambassador to Dhaka Abdulla Ali Abdulla Alhmoudi and Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Tareq Ahmed were also present at the meeting, after which the UAE delegation concluded its visit.