Qatar PM to designate close aide to take relationship with Bangladesh to new heights

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has expressed his full support for the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and assured him of all possible help to rebuild Bangladesh.

The Qatari PM, during a meeting with CA Yunus at his office in Doha, also said he would designate one of his close aides to take the relationship with Bangladesh to a new height, reads a press statement issued by the CA's Press Wing today (24 April).

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, also the foreign minister of Qatar and one of the most influential leaders in the Middle East, expressed his confidence that Bangladesh would come out of this reform and rebuilding process much stronger in the years to come.

"We count on your continued leadership," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told Professor Yunus at the meeting.

On the other hand, CA Yunus sought full diplomatic, financial, and investment support for building a New Bangladesh, including creating new opportunities and a prosperous future for the country's nearly 180 million people, notably its young population. 

"We need your support to build the country of the dream of our youth," Professor Yunus said.

Al Thani also urged the Bangladeshi leader to send a technical team to Qatar to discuss a wide range of cooperation.

The discussion also centred on the Rohingya crisis, with the CA calling for all possible support "to make sure Rohingya people can return home with dignity."

Prof Yunus also thanked the Qatari premier for helping organise a high-level dialogue on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit.

The Qatari PM appreciated Bangladesh's role in hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees in the country.

He called for mobilising more international support to resolve the crisis, and reiterated the continued support of Qatar to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and to a sustainable resolution of the issue.

The two leaders also discussed the Gaza situation, with Professor Yunus expressing his regret that much of the world is still silent over the plight of the Gazans.

Al Thani expressed his appreciation of Bangladesh's position on this issue.

Prof Yunus also thanked Al Jazeera, which he visited yesterday, for covering the Gaza crisis despite enormous challenges.

The CA sought Qatari support for Bangladesh's female sports athletes, including providing training and building facilities for them. 

He invited the Qatari premier to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time—a request gladly accepted by Sheikh Mohammed.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, SDG Afffairs Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, attended the meeting.