Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to increase its investment at the special economic zones in Bangladesh.
"We have also discussed on allocating 300 acres of land in Matarbari for the UAE enterprises to invest," he told reporters after a meeting with the UAE ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdulla Khaseif AlHmoudi at the foreign ministry this afternoon.
During the meeting, they also discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral matters.
The minister said they also discussed on welfare of the Bangladeshi expatriate workers residing in the UAE.
Hasan urged the UAE government to ease the process of transferring "Akama' (work permit) from one employer to another for the Bangladeshi nationals.
Replying to a query, the foreign minister said the government is determined to bring back the sailors of the Bangladeshi ship held hostage by pirates in Somalia.
About BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan's remarks, Hasan, also first joint general secretary of Awami League, said that BNP does not want any support and cooperation from the people, rather it seeks foreigners' support.
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is standing on a solid foundation and Awami League's foundation is deeply rooted in the people.
