CA Welcomes UAE Investment, Visa Progress

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for resuming visa issuance for Bangladeshi nationals and welcomed proposed investments from the Gulf nation in various sectors.

He conveyed his appreciation during a meeting with a high-level UAE delegation led by Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

“I thank you for opening the door. A few steps still need to be taken, and we hope to remain engaged to resolve those issues,” the Chief Adviser said, referring to the partial easing of the visa regime.

The UAE delegation included Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment. They arrived in Dhaka in the afternoon and were received by the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy, Lutfey Siddiqi.

"We are here under the instruction of our President to express solidarity and reaffirm our friendship with Bangladesh," said Sheikh Nahayan. "We appreciate the enhanced dialogue between our governments and look forward to cooperation in areas ranging from investment to visa facilitation."

Welcoming the gesture, Professor Yunus said Bangladesh is open to investment across a range of industries and values the growing bilateral engagement.

The UAE has recently begun issuing 30 to 50 visit visas daily and has expedited bulk visas for business delegations. The Ministry of Human Resources has also reactivated the online system for skilled employment visas.

Recent visa approvals have included positions such as marketing managers and hotel staff. Additionally, 500 visas for security guards have already been issued, with another 1,000 approved and awaiting processing.

UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Ali Al Hmodi and Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Tareq Ahmed were also present during the meeting.

The UAE delegation departed Dhaka following the discussions.