Economic, energy cooperation to be focused during CA’s Doha tour: Alam

NN Online:

Bangladesh aims to bolster its economic and energy cooperation with Qatar during the upcoming official visit of Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus to the Gulf nation, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today.

Prof. Yunus is scheduled to depart Dhaka for Doha this evening on a four-day visit to attend the Earthna Summit 2025, at the invitation of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“The Chief Adviser will deliver a speech at the Earthna Summit 2025 and engage in a number of official activities throughout the visit,” Alam informed journalists during a media briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad were also present at the briefing.

Sharing details about the trip, Alam said Prof. Yunus and his delegation will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:00 pm today. His official engagements are scheduled for April 22 and 23 in Doha.

The Chief Adviser will be accompanied by key officials, including Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed.

During the visit, Prof. Yunus is expected to meet with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed, among other high-level officials. He will also hold meetings with representatives of Qatar Charity and Qatar Foundation, and is scheduled to give an interview to Al Jazeera.

Noting the existing long-term LNG import agreement between the two countries, Alam said discussions on enhanced cooperation in the energy sector will be a key agenda point.

An investment summit will be held on April 23, from which Bangladesh anticipates a positive outcome in terms of attracting Qatari investments.

In addition, visa-related issues will be discussed during the visit. A major event focusing on the Rohingya crisis is also on the agenda, with Prof. Yunus expected to lead a conference involving global stakeholders to renew international attention on the humanitarian issue.

“The interim government is actively working to bring the Rohingya issue back to global focus,” Alam noted.

The Chief Adviser is expected to return to Dhaka in the early hours of April 25.