Ekmeleddin thanked the adviser for the support OIC has been receiving from Bangladesh.

During the meeting, they spoke about the need to "reform and modernise the organisation and give it the necessary economic and development bias."

Speaking to the media afterwards, Iftekhar said these changes are "essential if the OIC is to remain relevant to our times."

The adviser also asked for OIC assistance in rendering the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) as a centre for excellence in scientific learning to meet the present-day needs of the Ummah.

He invited the OIC secretary general to visit Bangladesh, which the latter accepted with thanks.

The foreign affairs adviser also held bilateral talks with Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud in Islamabad yesterday morning.

During the meeting, Abdullah Al-Mahmoud expressed keenness for possible Qatari investment in Bangladesh.

Iftekhar said Bangladesh would be very pleased to host a delegation representing Qatar Investment Council, headed by Minister Al-Mahmoud, to identify projects for joint collaborations.

It was agreed that such a visit might take place either in July or October.

Initially, possible projects in which Qatar is interested would be in energy, real estate and infrastructure development of special economic zones.

"We've many potentials for cooperation for mutual benefit, given our excellent relationship," said Iftekhar, who served as Ambassador to Qatar between 1994 and 1996, and according to Minister Mahmoud, he is regarded as a "great friend to Qatar."