Volume of non-oil trade with UAE reaches $1.2b in 2016

ABU DHABI, Feb 07: The ministerial meeting of the fourth session of the UAE-Bangladesh Joint Committee was held in Abu Dhabi, reports WAM.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and by Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Bangladesh's State Minister of Finance and Planning.

Dr Gargash noted that the volume of non-oil trade between the UAE and Bangladesh reached $1.2 billion in 2016, stressing the importance of strengthening economic relations and enhancing mechanisms to promote trade exchange, stimulate mutual investments, boost bilateral cooperation and increase direct flights. He pointed out that 86 flights were operated per week between the UAE and Bangladesh in the winter season.

Dr Gargash said that this meeting represents an opportunity to promote and develop bilateral relations, pointing out that the meetings of the joint committees are an effective platform to discuss proposals and practical solutions to boost cooperation.

He expressed his hope for further cooperation with Bangladesh in various fields, mainly trade and investment, energy and renewable energy, transport, culture and tourism, security and defence, agriculture, the environment and the development sector.

Dr Gargash said that the UAE and Bangladesh have historical relations based on understanding, mutual respect and common desire to promote bilateral cooperation and achieve the ambitions and directives of the senior leadership in both countries.

He also expressed UAE's appreciation for the humanitarian efforts of Bangladesh in hosting the Rohingya refugees by providing them with basic needs and materials.

Dr Gargash then highlighted the UAE's undertaking of humanitarian, relief and development programmes and its active commitment to peacekeeping, refugee protection and post-conflict reconstruction.