Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam speaking at a press briefing at foreign service academy. Photo : PID

DHAKA, April 21, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh will focus on strengthening economic and energy cooperation with Qatar during the visit of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the oil-rich Middle Eastern country, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam here today.

The Chief Adviser is set to leave Dhaka for Doha on a four-day official visit this evening to attend the Earthna Summit-2025 at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“The Chief Adviser will speak at the Earthna Summit 2025…He will have a series of engagements during the visit,” Alam said in a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad were also present.

About the Qatar tour of the Chief Adviser, Alam said Prof Yunus and his entourage members will leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:00 pm today. He will pass busy days on April 22 and 23 next in Doha.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, among others, will accompany the Chief Adviser during his Doha visit, he said.

The press secretary said Prof Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed apart from other engagements. 
The Chief Adviser will have meetings with Qatar Charity and Qatar Foundation and will give an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV channel. 

As Bangladesh has a long-term agreement with Qatar on LNG imports, there will have a discussion on greater energy sector cooperation, Alam said.

He said there will be an investment summit on April 23 from which Bangladesh expects a positive response.

Besides, the visa issues will also be discussed and there would be a long event on Rohingya issue. Prof Yunus will lead the conference where global stakeholders will participate.

The Rohingya issue would be brought back to global attention since there are efforts from the interim government to this end, Alam said.

He said the Chief Adviser is expected to return home at the early hours of April 25 next.