CA thanks UAE for visa progress, welcomes investment

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday expressed his appreciation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its efforts in resuming visa issuance for Bangladeshi nationals and welcomed new investment proposals from the Gulf nation across various sectors, reports BSS.

Yunus conveyed his gratitude during a meeting with Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, UAE cabinet minister of tolerance and coexistence, who led a high-level delegation to Dhaka. 

The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna, according to Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

The UAE delegation arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:45pm and was received by Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi.

Among the visiting officials were Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Hawi, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Investment.

"I am here under the instruction of our President to express solidarity and underline our friendship with Bangladesh," Sheikh Nahayan said during the meeting.

"We appreciate the enhanced dialogue that our two governments have been arranging in recent times. We wish to assure and collaborate in all areas from investment to visas," he added.

Welcoming the engagement, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said, "We welcome the engagement and support. We also welcome investment in a range of industries."

Addressing the recent easing of visa policies, he said, "Thank you for opening the door. A few steps still need to be taken. We hope that we will remain engaged and resolve those issues."

In recent weeks, the UAE has begun issuing 30 to 50 visit visas daily for Bangladeshi nationals. Business delegation visa approvals have also been expedited, while the Ministry of Human Resources has re-activated the online system for skilled employment visas.

Visas for marketing managers, hotel staff, and other professionals have been issued under this system. Additionally, 500 visas for security guards have already been granted, with a further 1,000 approved and awaiting issuance.

UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Ali Al Hmoudi and Bangladesh's Ambassador to the UAE Tareq Ahmed also attended the meeting.

The UAE delegation departed Dhaka shortly after the meeting concluded.