e-News® | The NEWS Company…DHAKA, April 7, 2015 : Omani Minister of Manpower Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al Bakri has appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi workers in Oman’s economic development, especially in agricultural and construction sectors. The appreciation came when State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam met with Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al Bakri in Muscat on Monday, said a foreign ministry press release.
The state minister is on a two-day official visit to Oman. Oman is currently hosting more than half a million Bangladeshi workers — both male and female. Shahriar Alam told the Omani minister that Bangladesh was ready and willing to provide more skilled and semi skilled manpower in the rapidly growing industrial and service sectors of the Sultanate, based on the demand of the Omani government as well as the private sector.
In this regard, he also said that Bangladesh has professional, technical, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled young workforces who can be employed in the Sultanate for its further economic development. Omani Minister opined that there were opportunities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector. He stressed the need for strengthening development co-operation between the two countries. He heartily welcomed Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers to work in Oman abiding by the rules and regulations of the Sultanate.
The Omani minister stressed on regular consultation and discussion between the two governments to create more opportunities for Bangladeshi workers. He mentioned that Oman will host Bangladesh-Oman 4th Joint Committee Meeting (technical committee) on all issues related to employment of Bangladeshi workers in Oman. Shahriar Alam also held a meeting with Saeed bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who also enjoys the status of a cabinet minister.
The Chairman showed keen interest to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two brotherly countries. The Chamber leader also showed interest to form a Bangladesh-Oman Joint Business Council with the participation from businessmen from both the countries, who can enhance cooperation further in the field of trade, commerce and investment. He reiterated that both Bangladesh and Oman should engage constructively to enhance bilateral trade considering huge Bangladeshi expatriates working in Oman. Shahriar Alam said that Bangladesh has the potential to offer a lot of products and services with higher quality and at competitive prices, like readymade garments, textiles, software, frozen food, ceramic, agro-based products, plastic, wooden furniture, regular furniture and steal products, pharmaceutical products, etc.
He added that both the countries sometimes lose these opportunities due to the time consuming visa obtaining procedure for Bangladeshi businessmen. He sought the Chamber’s cooperation in facilitating an expeditious visa procedure for Bangladeshi business people. Shahriar Alam invited the Chairman to lead a high level Omani business delegation to Bangladesh to explore opportunities in different sectors, especially in the maritime sectors. The Chamber president agreed to lead an Omani business delegation to Bangladesh very soon.
He also advised that after formation of the proposed Joint Business Council, Bangladesh side could consider sending a high level business delegation. The chairman assured him of all cooperation from his side to improve further bilateral trade.
