News Flash
DHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Dhaka and Abu Dhabi have reaffirmed their commitment to elevating bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership, with renewed focus on trade, investment, labour mobility and high-level engagements.
The commitment was made when United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today, said a ministry’s press release.
During the meeting, both sides underscored the longstanding friendship and growing strategic partnership between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.
The Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for the greetings from the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment, under the “Bangladesh First” policy, to advancing bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership.
The discussions focused on expediting negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
The Foreign Minister thanked the UAE government for hosting around 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates and requested the reopening of labour visas, alongside facilitating greater mobility, including business and transit visas.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across sectors and strengthening people-to-people contacts for mutual benefit.
Earlier, the UAE Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.
The State Minister stressed the importance of exchanging high-level visits and holding regular meetings of existing bilateral mechanisms to identify new opportunities and advance cooperation between the two friendly countries.
