The Qatar government yesterday expressed its keen interest to invest in different sectors like communications, power and energy and infrastructure in Bangladesh.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani showed the interest in a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office here.
Briefing reporters, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the two leaders discussed issues relating to bilateral interests.
The Qatari premier said Bangladesh and Qatar now enjoy better relations than any time of the past. He lauded Bangladesh's continued economic development and progress under the leadership of Hasina despite the global recession.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman and Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar M Shahdat Hossain were also present.
Earlier, Unctad Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi called on Hasina at Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha. They discussed issues relating to trade and development as well as Unctad's cooperation and future plan.
Bangladesh's Permanent Representative in Geneva Md Abdul Hannan was present on the occasion.
The prime minister in the morning addressed a high-level session on 'Macroeconomic Policy: Does Gender Matter" at the Unctad XIII Conference at Qatar International Convention Centre.
Hasina and members of her entourage is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 5:40am local time today after winding up her four-day official visit to Qatar.
The Unctad is a permanent intergovernmental body of the UN General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues.
The Bangladesh delegation also included Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Commerce Minister GM Quader and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, and senior officials of the commerce ministry and the Tariff Commission.
The conference was held at Qatar National Convention Centre with the theme "Development-centred Globalization: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Development".
Hasina, apart from attending the events of the Unctad XIII Conference, held bilateral meetings with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
She joined a reception accorded by expatriate Bangladeshis living in Qatar and a luncheon meeting organised by Business Association of Bangladesh (BAB) in Doha, Qatar, and also visited Bangladesh MHM School and College, a Bengali medium secondary and higher secondary school under Dhaka Education Board in Doha.