From left, Khaled Al Sayed, editor-in-chief of Qatar's English daily Peninsula, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Qatar Syed Masud Mahmud Khandakar and Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman cut a cake at the launching of the weekly Gulf Edition of the Bangla Daily Prothom Alo in Dar Al Sharq auditorium in Qatar on Wednesday. Photo: Courtesy

Adding a new dimension to the newspaper industry of Bangladesh, the Bangla daily Prothom Alo has launched its weekly Gulf Edition in Qatar, especially to help millions of Bangladeshi expatriates enjoy and share news about their homeland in their own language.
A joint venture with Qatar's Dar Al Sharq, the weekly edition of Prothom Alo was launched through a festive ceremony in Dar Al Sharq auditorium in Qatar on Wednesday.
A 12-page special supplement was published along with the inaugural edition of the 16-page weekly. From now, this edition will be available every Thursday at around 550 sales centres in Qatar and Bahrain.
Addressing the ceremony, Khaled Al Sayed, editor-in-chief of Qatar's English daily Peninsula, said, "Bangladesh is our friend. During my long career I had the opportunity to learn much from the Bangladeshis. It is an honour for Dar Al Sharq to be involved in the improvement of relations with the Bangladeshi expatriates in the Gulf."
Addressing as chief guest, Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar, Syed Masud Mahmud Khandakar, said, "This initiative has forged a new bridge between Qatar and Bangladesh. It is not only a memorable day, but also a historic occasion. The responsibility is upon all of us to uphold this new venture for Bangla language which has begun today."
Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman said, "I extend my thanks to everyone here today at this happy occasion. The Prothom Alo family is proud and honoured to be able to place the most popular newspaper in Bangladesh in your hands here in the Gulf. Our main aim is to highlight a positive image of the country for you abroad."
Eminent expatriate Bangladeshis and journalists were present on the occasion.