Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus called for deeper economic cooperation with Qatar, inviting Qatari investment during a high-level meeting and luncheon hosted by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dr. Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani today. Photo: Chief Adviser GOB Facebook

DOHA (Qatar), April 23, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for deeper economic cooperation with Qatar, inviting Qatari investment across key sectors of Bangladesh.

He offered an exclusive economic zone for the manufacturers of the kingdom, including defence equipment plants.

During a high-level meeting and luncheon hosted by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dr. Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani here today, the Chief Adviser emphasized on Bangladesh’s readiness to facilitate Qatari industrial ventures through streamlining the investment opportunities and infrastructure support.

He expressed gratitude for Qatar's decision to recruit 725 Bangladeshi troops and urged for more recruitment to strengthen the Qatari security forces.

Later, at a separate meeting with Qatar’s Commerce Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Al Thani in Lusail City, the Chief Adviser discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment.

He highlighted opportunities in Bangladesh’s transport, banking and hospitality sectors, noting that recent economic reforms have significantly improved the country’s investment climate.

"Our aim is to turn Bangladesh into an economic and manufacturing hub," Prof Yunus said.

In the afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Qawari hosted a tea party in honour of the Chief Adviser.

In the party their discussions focused on the isseus of mutual interests, particularly enhancing manpower cooperation through increased recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.

Earlier in the day, addressing a high level meeting on the Rohingya crisis the Chief Adviser called for redoubling global efforts to put focus on the plight of the long-persecuted Myanmar Muslim community.

Sheikh Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, the CEO of the Qatar Foundation, spoke at the meeting and expressed her willingness to visit Bangladesh soon.

The Chief Adviser was accompanied by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed.