Acting Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Humaiun Kobir met with H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, State Minister for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, on the sidelines of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. The meeting provided a platform for both ministers to discuss a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues affecting Bangladesh and the UAE.
The two officials highlighted the importance of facilitating employment opportunities for skilled and semi‑skilled Bangladeshi workers in the UAE labour market. They agreed to strengthen mechanisms that safeguard the welfare of the existing Bangladeshi expatriate community residing in the United Arab Emirates.
UAE representatives expressed interest in investing in port facilities in Bangladesh, signalling a potential boost to the country’s maritime infrastructure and trade capacity. Both sides underscored the value of reciprocal support in multilateral fora, aiming to enhance their joint influence on regional and global platforms.
A key point of discussion was the Rohingyan crisis. The UAE pledged to support Bangladesh in addressing the root causes of the displacement, offering humanitarian assistance and diplomatic backing in international settings.
The ministers also stressed the urgency of materialising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations. They described the agreement as a cornerstone for deepening trade, investment and economic cooperation, and pledged to accelerate its implementation.
Overall, the dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh and the UAE to expand cooperation across economic, humanitarian and diplomatic domains, building on the momentum generated by their participation in CHOGM.
Why it matters
The agreement advances Bangladesh’s economic ties with the UAE and seeks greater support for the Rohingya crisis.