UAE keen to invest in tourism, telecoms

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is eager to invest in hotel, tourism, oil and telecommunications sectors in Bangladesh, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud yesterday.

He disclosed the fact during a press briefing at the ministry after his visit to the UAE and Geneva last week.

The state minister said he held an extensive discussion with the UAE Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash and asked him for special care to Bangladeshi workers.

The gulf nation assured special heed to Bangladeshi workers to make sure they survive the economic meltdown, he added.

Hasan Mahmud requested the UAE leaders to set up a hospital and a nursing institute on the land in Chittagong that was offered to UAE former ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan as a token of friendship.

Presently, the oil-rich UAE investment in Bangladesh is $2.5 billion, he said.

"I requested him to ease residency visa transfer system, which is somewhat clumsy, and introduce online visa system to prevent forgery," he told newsmen.

As Mahmud requested the UAE labour minister to ensure workers' wages in due time, the latter said they would introduce a system by the end of the year so that all workers get wages through banks and employers cannot make any deductions.

The UAE is the second largest labour market for Bangladesh after Saudi Arabia. Around seven lakh workers send around $1 billion remittance yearly from UAE.

The UAE state minister for foreign affairs said apart from labour issues, Bangladesh and UAE should diversify relations to work together in international arena, said Mahmud.

"It means they want collaboration in the Palestine issue and producing green energy," Hasan Mahmud elaborated.

The ministers also shared views on combating terrorism.