Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged Qatar’s businesspeople and entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones.

She also sought more cooperation from Qatar in importing LNG and fertiliser from the Gulf Country.

The premier sought the cooperation when visiting Labour Minister of Qatar Dr Ali bin Saed bin Smaikh Al Marri called on her at Ganabhaban, reports UNB.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.

Referring to the Special Economic Zones being set up in the country, the PM said, Qatar can take land there like China, India, Japan and South Korea did in setting up industries there.

She said that Bangladesh attaches special priority to the bilateral relation with the close brotherly country.

On the Rohingya issue, the premier said that over 1.1 million Myanmar nationals, sheltered in Bangladesh, are now a burden for the country.

She said that her government moved nearly 30 thousand Rohingya refugees to Bhashanchar island for better living.

“The OIC is supporting Bangladesh on this issue,” she noted.

Talking about the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Hasina said, “The situation is under control, but the government is very cautious about it.”

At the meeting, the minister of Qatar said that he had a fruitful discussion with the Bangladesh minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment affairs on the issue of manpower.

Qatar’s minister expressed his country’s keenness to cooperate with Bangladesh in the energy and medical sectors.

Highly appreciating Bangladeshi workers in Qatar the minister said, at present 4 lakh Bangladeshis are working there and they are the second largest foreign community in the country.

The minister said that Qatar is now ready for the upcoming World Cup Football to be started on 20th November next and invited the prime minister to attend the highest voltage tournament.

During the meeting, Dr Ali bin Saed conveyed the greetings of the Ameer and the Prime Minister of Qatar to Sheikh Hasina.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad, PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, Secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment  Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Jashim Uddin, Qatar's Charge D' Affairs in Bangladesh Saeed Al Samikh, were present at the meeting.