Bangladesh has urged oil rich middle eastern nations including Qatar to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi workers and professionals so that they can contribution to the economies of both the nations.

The urge was made while Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md. Jashim Uddin held a meeting with Qatar Foreign Secretary in Doha on Tuesday, a press release said on Wednesday.

“The presence of more than four lakh expatriate Bangladeshis in Qatar is one of the main pillars of bilateral relations between the two countries,” said Bangladesh envoy during the meeting while they discussed various aspects of Bangladesh-Qatar ties.

The ambassador thanked the Qatar government for ensuring well-being of the expatriate Bangladeshis during the pandemic and also sought cooperation in returning of Bangladeshi expats, who have been stranded in Bangladesh, to Qatar.

The Qatar foreign secretary appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi nationals in various fields and assured assistance in matters related to their interests.

The Bangladesh ambassador also emphasised strengthening the trade relations between Bangladesh-Qatar, highlighting the business relations as one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations.

The Qatar foreign secretary agreed with the Bangladesh ambassador on strengthening trade relations, especially in terms of increasing communication between the two countries at the public and private levels and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to bilateral trade.

They also discussed issues related to exchange of high-level visits, holding of the 2nd Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) at the level of State Minister for Foreign Affairs, investment, increased cooperation between two countries in the international arena, and the Qatari government’s continued support for Rohingya repatriation.