Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday held the first-ever foreign office consultations (FOC) between the two countries in Abu Dhabi and underscored the need for working together at official levels to materialise the cooperation activities through meaningful engagements, reports the UNB.

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque led the Bangladesh delegation while the UAE delegation was led by Khalifa Shaheen Al-Marar, Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of the UAE. 

The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere on the sidelines of the bilateral visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the UAE, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry. 

Both delegations took stock of the whole gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern in regional and international arena. 

They expressed satisfaction for the excellent understanding and relations at the highest political level between the two countries, which was taken to a new height by the ongoing visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the UAE.  

Increased economic cooperation between the two countries through expansion of trade and investment and cooperation in the manpower sector was highlighted during the discussions. 

The UAE side hailed the signing of the MoUs towards increased investment in Bangladesh and  informed that relevant agencies of their government is working towards streamlining and opening the sector for Bangladeshi nationals.

The meeting was followed by the official lunch offered by the UAE Assistant Minister in honour of the Bangladesh delegation. 

The next consultations would be held in Dhaka.