Dhaka seeks UAE support for workers
Bangladesh has sought the United Arab Emirates’ support in addressing challenges faced by Bangladeshi expatriates while reaffirming its commitment to safe, orderly and transparent labour migration.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the UAE ambassador to Bangladesh on Sunday.
The two sides also reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to expand cooperation in migration, trade, investment and other sectors.
Shama expressed concern over the difficulties faced by Bangladeshi nationals in the UAE and requested the ambassador’s cooperation in resolving them.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and legitimate interests of Bangladeshis living abroad and ensuring better-managed migration.
The state minister also conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness to host the second meeting of the Bangladesh-UAE Joint Consular Committee in Dhaka on a mutually convenient date in 2026.
She said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss consular and migration-related issues and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
During the talks, both sides reviewed their growing economic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, ports, information and communication technology, and other areas of mutual interest.
They stressed the need to accelerate negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, saying it could provide a stronger institutional framework for increasing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to activate the Bangladesh-UAE Joint Business Council and convene its meeting at a mutually convenient time to promote business and investment ties.
The UAE ambassador thanked the Bangladesh government for supporting the inscription of Wadi Wurayah National Park on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the recent session of the World Heritage Committee.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close engagement and further deepening the partnership between Bangladesh and the UAE for the benefit of their peoples.
