Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, wrapped up his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday after attending the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the UAE's Minister of Education and Chairman of the General Authority of Sports, bid him farewell at Dubai Airport as he departed on an Emirates flight back home.
During his visit, Professor Yunus engaged in discussions with several UAE ministers on the sidelines of the summit. Key topics included lifting visa restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals, expanding trade and investment, UAE business interests in Chittagong Port, and strengthening cooperation in sports and education.
He urged the UAE authorities to ease visa restrictions and recruit more Bangladeshi workers. Additionally, he invited Emirati companies to relocate factories to Bangladesh and welcomed a proposal from UAE Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to establish an exclusive industrial park for UAE businesses.
Professor Yunus highlighted Bangladesh's potential as a Halal product manufacturing hub, emphasizing its low-cost labour advantages. In response, the UAE trade minister expressed interest in leading a high-level trade and investment delegation to Bangladesh in the coming months.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed accompanied the Chief Adviser during the visit.
Professor Yunus is expected to return home this evening.
