After a gap of 18 years, the Bangladesh-UAE Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting is going to be held here on November 21-22. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith arrived here yesterday evening to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the meeting. Led by the finance ministries of the two countries, the JEC will review the entire gamut of Bangladesh-UAE bilateral relations with particular focus on manpower, investment, trade and cultural cooperation.

The JEC meeting will seek to agree on a broad framework of cooperation to further advancing the existing friendly bilateral ties. The first meeting of the Joint Committee on Manpower in pursuance of the MoU on Manpower signed between the two countries in 2007 will also be held alongside the JEC meeting. Bangladesh now enjoys vibrant and active bilateral relations with the UAE which is the home to the second largest expatriate Bangladesh community (over seven lakh) and the second highest foreign exchange earners (over US$ 1.5 billion).

The UAE is also the leading recruiter of Bangladeshi manpower (over 20 thousand per month) ahead of the second largest recruiting country. Meanwhile, the finance minister addressed a cross section of expatriate Bangladeshis including businessmen and other professionals living in the greater Abu Dhabi area at a reception. Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Nazmul Quaunine hosted the reception yesterday evening. Speaking on the occasion, the minister urged the members of the Bangladesh community to invest and participate in various economic and development activities in Bangladesh. He also called upon them to work unitedly to enhance the image of the Bangladesh community in the UAE. The minister listed various development activities taken by the present government.

-New Nation