Manpower Export, Investment: UAE to consider Dhaka's demands

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Nahyan yesterday assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that the UAE would give due consideration to Bangladesh's demands, including manpower export and increasing investment.

Zayed Nahyan, also deputy supreme commander of the UAE, made the assurance during a meeting with Hasina at his royal palace.

After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed reporters where PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim was present.

During the meeting, Hasina and the prince talked on various issues, including how the UAE could help Bangladesh in its development and help Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue.

Hasina said some 40,000 Rohingya children were born in Bangladesh in the last 18 months.

The prince wanted to know about the possible solution to the issue, and enquired about how he could help Bangladesh develop community clinics.

The PM sought UAE's cooperation in repatriating around one million Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

Shahidul said the UAE was always active over the issue. “They'll take new programmes to help Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingyas issue,” he added.

About the manpower issue, the prince said they would discuss the matter giving it utmost importance.

He said he would visit Bangladesh and wanted to know from the PM when it would be suitable for him to make the visit.

In reply, Hasina said the winter season would be better for his visit. The prince said he could visit Bangladesh during the rainy season, too.

Earlier, the PM had a meeting with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the International Defence Exhibition when the latter highlighted the trade and business between Dhaka and Dubai.

The Dubai ruler said the UAE identified Bangladesh as a big and new sector for their investment.

“He also said his country will consider the manpower issue openly," the foreign secretary said.

At the meeting, the PM gifted Maktoum a translated version of her book “My Dream”.