DUBAI, Abu Dhabi: Concluding her three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dubai Monday afternoon for home by a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The flight carrying the Prime Minister left Dubai International Airport at 6.15 pm (local time). It is scheduled to reach Dhaka at 11.55 pm.
Minister of Social Affairs of UAE Mariam Mohammad Khalfan Al Roomi, Bangladesh Ambassador to UAE Mohammad Imran and senior officials of the two counties saw the Prime Minister off at the airport.
During the three-day bilateral tour, the Prime Minister held meeting with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Hasina also visited Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) and held meeting with its ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Aaqr Al Quasi. She also attended a reception of Bangladeshi community in Abu Dhabi.
During the Prime Minister's visit, Bangladesh and UAE signed a number of deals on trade, manpower and investment to boost cooperation in different fields and further strengthening bilateral ties.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) of Bangladesh and professional labour recruiting agency "Amala Group of the UAE" under which the UAE will recruit Bangladeshi female workers for 14 professions.
Following the signing of the MoU, female workers from Bangladesh could be sent to the UAE under certain terms and conditions which will ensure security of female workers. In this regard, the UAE agreed to appoint a labour attaché at its embassy in Dhaka from the beginning of the next year to simplify the procedure of recruiting manpower from Bangladesh.
At a meeting with Chairman of Dubai Port World (DP World) Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Prime Minister invited Dubai Port World authorities to conduct a feasibility study on constructing a deep seaport at Paira, Patuakhali. She also urged Ahmed bin Sulayem to carry out a study on construction of a special economic zone, a 150 kilometer marine driveway from Teknaf to Mirersarai in Chittagong and a modern airport in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister highlighted the potentiality of Bangladesh's resourceful maritime areas following settlement of the disputes with India and Myanmar on Bangladesh's sovereignty on sea areas. Responding positively to Bangladesh's request, the DP World chairman agreed to send a delegation to Bangladesh soon.
During the PM's visit, Bangladesh and the UAE also signed deals on security cooperation, transfer of sentenced prisoners and handing over land for construction of the UAE Embassy in Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina visited the mazar of the founder of the mosque and Father of the Nation of the UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and offered Fateha there.
BSS/ZA