President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday sought Qatar’s investment in the Special Economic Zones in Bangladesh as he held a meeting with visiting Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at Bangabhaban in Dhaka.

’Bangladesh government has set up 100 SEZs for foreign investors and Qatari investors can invest there. They may invest in agro-production and processing, food packaging, smart agriculture and fertilizer production,’ he told the Emir.

President Shahabuddin said that Qatari investors could avail the comprehensive incentives and support in investing in some areas like petro-chemical, energy, machineries, IT, electronics, ceramics, agri-business and food processing in the SEZs.

President’s press secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed BSS after the meeting.

Acknowledging Qatar as a valued partner of Bangladesh in the Gulf region, the president said that the Amir’s visit and singing of agreements and memorandums of understanding reflected the commitment of further expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation in days to come.

Shahabuddin expressed gratitude to the Qatar government for hosting around 3.75 lakh Bangladesh nationals as they are contributing to the socio-economic development of both Qatar and Bangladesh.

The president urged the Qatar Emir to recruit more semi-skilled and skilled young manpower, IT experts, professionals and technicians from Bangladesh.

Thanking the Qatar government for providing Liquefied Natural Gas to Bangladesh, the president sought long-term energy assistance from Qatar.

Mohammed Shahabuddin also requested Qatar for an early implementation of the MoU on Defence Cooperation and the agreement with Qatar Armed Forces concerning deputation of officers in Qatar.

He said that both sides needed to engage more to tap trade and business potentials as the bilateral trade stands at 2.220 billion in 2022-23 and Bangladesh exported goods worth $43 million.

The Bangladesh president highly appreciated the efforts of Qatar (along with Egypt and the United States) in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

The Emir of Qatar lauded the socio-economic development of Bangladesh in almost all sectors under the charismatic and efficient leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He assured of providing all necessary support for Bangladesh in the days to come.

The Emir of Qatar said the agreements and MoUs signed by Qatar and Bangladesh will play a more effective role in the development of bilateral and multilateral ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, both the leaders expressed the hope the Emir’s visit would pave the way for further strengthening the multifaceted partnership between Bangladesh and Qatar.

Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu, foreign secretary and Bangabhaban secretaries were present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Qatar Emir was accompanied by Chief of Amiri Dewan Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Bin Saad Al-Muraikhi and Ambassador of Qatar to Bangladesh Seraya Bin Ali Al-Qahtani.

After the meeting, the Emir took part in a photo session. He also signed the visitor’s book.

The President hosted a state luncheon in honour of the Emir of Qatar at the Durbar Hall.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Sangsad speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, chief justice Obaidul Hasan, ministers, advisers to prime minister and other dignitaries also took part in the lunch.

A cultural function was held on the occasion.