Dhaka expects withdrawal of visa restrictions
Dhaka is expecting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to withdraw stringent restrictions on entry of Bangladeshis and to resume recruiting workers by issuing work visas, alongside visas for businessmen and tourists, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's October 26-27 visit.
Official sources said a hectic negotiation was ongoing through diplomatic channels as the Gulf nation has nearly stopped issuing Bangladeshis all types of entry permits since August 2012 for Dhaka's failure to address its security concerns over identification and the use of fake documents and expired passports and visas.
“We are expecting a breakthrough,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The visit, at the invitation of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will also feature talks on bilateral trade and investment, officials told The Daily Star yesterday.
Meanwhile, an inter-ministerial meeting at the foreign ministry with Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque in the chair discussed the bilateral issues.
The second largest manpower destination for Bangladesh after the Saudi Arabia, the UAE now reportedly hosts over 7 lakh Bangladeshis.
Although the majority of them are unskilled, the government will push for professionals such as doctors, nurses, engineers, bankers, pharmacists, teachers and accountants to join the workforce in the UAE.
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