Dhaka, Feb 13 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first overseas tour in her third consecutive term in office will further boost Bangladesh’s image abroad as she carries a big example of development, says Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday.
“She has a big example of development in her pocket. I believe the entire international community will want to know how the miracle happened (in Bangladesh),” he told reporters while briefing on Prime Minister’s visit to Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Foreign Minister referred the development spree over the last 10 years in the country and said this maiden foreign visit will have deep importance.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves here for Munich on Thursday morning by a VVIP Biman flight to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2019 scheduled for February 15-17.
The flight will leave Dhaka at 8:10am with the Prime Minister and her entourage.
The flight is scheduled to reach Munich International Airport, Germany at 1:15pm (local time). Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany Imtiaz Ahmed will receive her at the airport. She will also visit the UAE from Germany.
The Foreign Minister said they are expecting bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other global leaders during her visit to Germany.
Dr Momen said two MoUs on investment are likely to be signed during Prime Minister’s UAE visit.
One of the MoUs will be signed between the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for undertaking projects on the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal, Power Plant and any other projects of mutual interest, he said.
Another MoU will be signed between the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) for setting up a Special Economic Zone in Matarbari on 300 acres of land.
Expanding the existing trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the UAE is the purpose of Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE, Dr Momen said.
The Foreign Minister said the current foreign investment flow into Bangladesh is enough but the country needs more investment for its further development.
He, however, laid emphasis on diversity of investment saying Bangladesh seeks investment from various countries instead of getting it from a single one which will help strengthen the future of Bangladesh.
“We want to take full advantage of what the UAE offers,” said the Foreign Minister mentioning Bangladesh is focusing on economic diplomacy.
He also said they will also have meetings with big companies in Germany to get more engagements as Bangladesh is giving much importance to economic aspects.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, who was present at the briefing, said many avenues will open and there will be in-depth discussions. “We’re expecting a very warm welcome in the UAE.”
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will attend a community reception at Hotel Sheraton Munich Arabella Park to be given by the European Awami League.
On Friday morning, she will attend the health security roundtable titled ‘Health in Crisis – WHO Cares?! ’to be hosted by MSC, Centre for Strategies and International Studies, and WHO at Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
Executive Director of The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Beatrice Fihn and Chief Prosecutor of the ICC Dr. Bensouda will call on her separately after the event.
In the afternoon, Sheikh Hasina will attend the opening ceremony of the MSC at the Conference Hall of Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
After the ceremony, President and CEO of the Siemens AG Joe Kaeser and CEO of the Veridos Hans Wolfgang Kunz will call on her separately.
Later, she will attend the dinner to be hosted by President of the World Economic Forum and CEO of Jigsaw Borge Brende Jared Cohen at Galerie Schüller of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
On Saturday afternoon, the Prime Minister will join in a panel discussion on ‘Climate Change as a Security Threat’ at the Conference Hall of the Bayerischer Hof.
At 9:40pm (local time) on the same day, she will depart Munich International Airport for Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airlines to attend the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX-2019). Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany Imtiaz Ahmed will see her off at the airport.
The Prime Minister will arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi at 6:45 am where she will be received by Ambassador to the UAE Mohammad Imran.
Hasina will attend the Opening Session of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX-2019) at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) at 10am.
She will hold a meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.
The Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Later, she will attend a dinner programme to be hosted by the Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE.
On Monday afternoon, the Prime Minister will take audience with the Wife of Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder and the Inaugural President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi at Al Bahar Palace.
Later, she will attend a community event at the Ball Room of the St Regis Abu Dhabi.
On Wednesday (early hours), the Prime Minister will fly from Abu Dhabi International Airport for Dhaka by a VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Ambassador to the UAE Mohammad Imran will see her off at the airport.
The Prime Minister will arrive in Dhaka at 7am on the same day.
