Hasina, Qatar PM talk funding of Padma bridge

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks to Qatar Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani during a dinner held for the US-Islamic World Forum at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha yesterday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Qatari counterpart on Tuesday night discussed a number of bilateral issues, including financing for Padma bridge project and construction of a new international airport in Bangladesh.
Hasina and Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani also discussed upgrading the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and constructing a 1,000-megawatt power plant in the country.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the US-Islamic World Forum held at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha.
Hasina's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting.
Issues relating to river dredging and recruitment of more manpower from Bangladesh also came up in the discussion, Azad said.
Both leaders expressed their keen interest to further strengthen bilateral ties for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
Recently, Qatar expressed its keen interest to invest in Bangladesh's major projects, including Padma bridge construction, airport upgradation, river dredging.
The Gulf state showed the interest when a Qatari delegation, led by its Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Jabr Al Thani, met Bangladesh foreign minister in Dhaka.
Later, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met the Bangladesh premier at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
During the meeting, they discussed issues relating to peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin, among others, were present during the meeting.
PM RETURNS HOME
Hasina returned home yesterday evening after wrapping her two-day official visit to Qatar.
A flight of Biman carrying the premier and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:05 pm.
The chief of protocol of the foreign ministry of Qatar and Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Shahdat Hossain saw her off at the Doha International Airport.
Prior to her departure, Hasina held a meeting with Crown Prince and Deputy Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani at Amiri Diwan.