PM offers land to Qatar in economic zones

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday offered land to Qatar in the special economic zones being set up across Bangladesh alongside seeking more help from the gulf country in the energy sector, particularly in LNG import.

“Bangladesh is setting up 100 special economic zones. Qatar can take land in the zones for its investors and entrepreneurs to make investments on a larger scale,” she said.

The Prime Minister said these while Qatar's Labour Minister Dr. Ali bin Saed bin Smaikh Al Marri paid a courtesy call on her at her Ganabhaban residence on Monday afternoon.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the meeting.

The Premier told the minister of Qatar that China, Japan,India and Korea have already taken land in the economic zones and they are working to set up industries there.

Sheikh Hasina has sought more cooperations from Qatar in LNG import and the minister of Qatar expressed his country's keenness to cooperate Bangladesh in the energy and health sectors.

"We're currently importing LNG from Qatar.....We need more collaboration in this sector," she added.

The Prime Minister has also expressed eagerness to import fertiliser from Qatar.

She said Bangladesh attaches special priority to the relationship with Qatar as a brotherly country.

On the Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina said around 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh since 2017, which has now become a huge burden for Bangladesh.

The Premier has sought cooperation from Qatar over the issue, saying, "Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) is extending support to Bangladesh in this issue."

Bangladesh has already shifted 30,000 Rohingyas from Cox's Bazar to Bhashan Char, she said.

Regarding the Covid-19 situation, she said that the Coronavirus is now under control in Bangladesh.

"But, we are very cautious," she added.

Dr. Ali bin Saed bin Smaikh Al Marri has extended greetings to Bangladesh Premier on behalf of his country's Ameer and Prime Minister.

 The Qatar Premier also invited Sheikh Hasina to attend the World Cup Football competition as the event is going to start on November 20.

He acknowledged Bangladeshi labours' contribution to his country's development, saying that at present 4 lakh Bangladeshi labours are working in Qatar, which is the second largest foreign community in his country.

The minister said he had fruitful talks with Bangladesh's minister of expatriates' welfare and overseas employment over manpower issue.

Minister of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmad, MP, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Jashim Uddin, Qatar's Charge D' Affairs in Bangladesh Saeed Al Samikh, were present at the meeting.