UAE, BD sign three deals

DUBAI, Oct 27 (UNB): Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Monday signed three deals, including an 'Agreement on Security Cooperation' between the two countries, aiming to enhance cooperation on containing crimes, reports UNB

The two other deals signed are 'Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners' and 'Handing over of a piece of land for the UAE embassy in Dhaka'.

The 'Agreement on Security Cooperation' between Bangladesh and the UAE and 'Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners' were signed by State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and UAE Interior Minister Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The agreement on land handover to UAE embassy in Dhaka was signed by Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Meanwhile, another report adds, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday urged her UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to remove the obstacles towards reopening Bangladesh labour market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sheikh Hasina came up with the request during a meeting with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the Zabeel Palace in Dubai.

Responding to the request, the UAE Prime Minister said the matter could be resolved through government-level talks like holding discussions between the UAE Interior Ministry and the Bangladesh Home Ministry.

About the reopening of the labour market in the UAE, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said the market is being opened, but it is yet to be done. He briefed reporters after the meeting.

"There's a hurdle which is known to all and there was no detailed discussion on the issue."

Shahidul Haque said both the leaders during the meeting highlighted development in various fields in their countries alongside focusing on priority areas for investment and business.

The UAE Prime Minister appreciated Sheikh Hasina's government for its decision to construct the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project with own funds.

The UAE, the second largest manpower destination for Bangladesh after Saudi Arabia, has restricted its labour market for the Bangladeshi workers like many other countries. At present, more than a million Bangladeshis work there.