Dhaka Bureau: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Jassim Al Thani said that his country is interested in strengthening friendly relations with Bangladesh.
He said this in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the bilateral meeting room of Raffles Tower in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday (May 23).
Later, the foreign minister during the press briefing. AK Abdul Momen said that the Prime Minister of Qatar said in the meeting that they (Qatar) are true friends of Bangladesh and want to further develop relations with Bangladesh.
Qatar Prime Minister praised Sheikh Hasina for bringing stability to Bangladesh.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh buys a large amount of energy from Qatar. We want you to help us with fuel.
In response, Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman said, they are promising that Qatar will do as much as possible for Bangladesh.
Regarding the fear of Bangladeshi workers losing their jobs in Qatar after the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the Qatari prime minister said Bangladeshi workers will keep their resources and friends and Qatar will keep them as much as possible.
Later Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Saad Bin Sherida Al Kabi met the Prime Minister of Bangladesh at his residence.
In the meeting, the issue of signing a new agreement regarding the supply of additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh in the future came up for discussion.
Minister of Foreign Affairs in the press briefing after the meeting. Momen said that Sheikh Hasina has asked to sign a new agreement as soon as possible to procure larger quantities of fuel from Qatar.
The foreign minister said the existing 15-year deal signed in 2017 to import LNG from Qatar will remain in force until 2032. But after 2025, a new deal will have to be signed to get larger quantities of fuel.
Dr. Momen said that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh has asked to sign the agreement immediately after fixing the issues related to bargaining. Describing Bangladesh as a friendly country and noting that the country had stood by Qatar in difficult times, they (Qatar) promised that they would consider all possible concessions for Qatar while signing the agreement.
Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum at Raffles Tower.
Dr. in the briefing. Abdul Momen said, Kagame told Sheikh Hasina in the meeting that he always listens to the development story of Bangladesh and he wants to visit Bangladesh. He said, “We are very proud of Bangladesh”.
Quoting the Rwandan President, the Foreign Minister further said, Bangladesh is a very densely populated country and you (Sheikh Hasina) are managing the country very well. I want to see it.
In response, the Prime Minister invited Kagame to visit Bangladesh. Paul Kagame said he wants to build a bridge between Bangladesh and Rwanda, especially to establish air connectivity between the two countries.
Referring to the recent opening of a pharmaceutical factory by a Bangladeshi company in Rwanda, the President invited more Bangladeshi investment in various sectors in his country.
Sheikh Hasina praised Paul Kagame and said that Rwanda is in a very good position in Africa due to his good leadership.
Head of government Kagame said, Ukraine-Russia war has created problems and that has given warning to countries like Bangladesh, Rwanda. If we cooperate with each other, we can overcome such situations.
Appreciating Sheikh Hasina’s speech, Kagame said, now is the time to strengthen cooperation. Source: BSS
