Qatar keen to invest in LNG, power generation sectors

Doha also wants to hire more Bangladeshis

Qatar has expressed ‘keen desire’ to invest in Bangladesh in the LNG and power generation sectors against the backdrop of recent success in bilateral talks between RAS Gas, a Qatari gas company, and Petro Bangla. 

The Gulf nation also wants to recruit more specialised, skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled workers from Bangladesh.  
During a meeting on Sunday with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, who visited the oil-rich Gulf nation from May 6-8, Qatari Minister for Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed Bin Saleh Al Sada informed that Nebras Power could visit Bangladesh to explore the possibility of investment in power generation sectors in Bangladesh, according to a Foreign Ministry press release. 
In this context, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh extended an invitation to the Qatari Energy and Industry Minister to undertake a visit with an investment delegation to Bangladesh to experience the existing potentials in this sector. 
Foreign Minister Ali proposed to send a delegation of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to visit Qatar to continue the discussion. 
Citing the 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) set up by the government all over the country, he viewed that if Qatari investors want the Bangladesh government can offer an exclusive Zone for the Qatari investors. 
Dr Sada responded positively to undertake the visit to Bangladesh and hoped to work towards organising regular contacts at high official levels between the two sides in the energy sectors. 
He further suggested that besides bilateral engagement, Bangladesh may consider entering into a framework economic cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to have wider engagement in trade and investment not only with Qatar but also with the countries in the region.
The Foreign Minister also called on Dr Issa Saad Al-Jafali Al-Nuaimi, minister for Administrative Development and Labour. 
The Qatari Minister informed Ali about the new legislation promulgated by Qatar on manpower recruitment and held out its various positive aspects such as wage protection and rights to change job (sponsorships) enhancing labour standards in line with the ILO standard. 
The Qatari Minister expressed willingness of his government to recruit professionals like doctors, engineers, IT experts, bankers and management specialists alongside semi-skilled and un-skilled workers from Bangladesh. 
He proposed for developing a mechanism to establish a web-based direct connection between the employers and workers. 
Foreign Minister Ali proposed that Qatari side may establish training facilities for Qatar-bound workers from Bangladesh to impart 
requisite training as per the job requirement and also in Arabic language.
While in Doha, he paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, at the Qatari Amiri Dewane (Doha Palace). 
The Qatari Prime Minister lauded the honest and hardworking Bangladeshi workers now numbering 3,80,000 for their contribution in the development of Qatar. 
The Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali thanked the government and the people of Qatar for hosting Bangladeshi workers and opined that Bangladesh can also provide professionals like doctors, nurses and teachers along with the traditional work force.
The Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali held Official talks with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhiat at the Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting both sides discussed issues of mutual interest including bilateral trade and investment prospects, exploration of gas, LNG, infrastructure developments, power generation, defense, marine fisheries, people to people contact, diplomatic land exchange and pledged to support each other in the international fora.

Qatar keen to invest in LNG, power generation sectors

Doha also wants to hire more Bangladeshis

Qatar has expressed keen desire to invest in Bangladesh in the LNG and power generation sectors against the backdrop of recent success in bilateral talks between RAS Gas, a Qatari gas company, and Petro Bangla. The Gulf nation also wants to recruit more specialised, skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled workers from Bangladesh. During a meeting on Sunday with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, who visited the oil-rich Gulf nation from May 6-8, Qatari Minister for Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed Bin Saleh Al Sada informed that Nebras Power could visit Bangladesh to explore the possibility of investment in power generation sectors in Bangladesh, according to a Foreign Ministry press release. In this context, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh extended an invitation to the Qatari Energy and Industry Minister to undertake a visit with an investment delegation to Bangladesh to experience the existing potentials in this sector. Foreign Minister Ali proposed to send a delegation of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to visit Qatar to continue the discussion. Citing the 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) set up by the government all over the country, he viewed that if Qatari investors want the Bangladesh government can offer an exclusive Zone for the Qatari investors. Dr Sada responded positively to undertake the visit to Bangladesh and hoped to work towards organising regular contacts at high official levels between the two sides in the energy sectors. He further suggested that besides bilateral engagement, Bangladesh may consider entering into a framework economic cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to have wider engagement in trade and investment not only with Qatar but also with the countries in the region. The Foreign Minister also called on Dr Issa Saad Al-Jafali Al-Nuaimi, minister for Administrative Development and Labour. The Qatari Minister informed Ali about the new legislation promulgated by Qatar on manpower recruitment and held out its various positive aspects such as wage protection and rights to change job (sponsorships) enhancing labour standards in line with the ILO standard. The Qatari Minister expressed willingness of his government to recruit professionals like doctors, engineers, IT experts, bankers and management specialists alongside semi-skilled and un-skilled workers from Bangladesh. He proposed for developing a mechanism to establish a web-based direct connection between the employers and workers. Foreign Minister Ali proposed that Qatari side may establish training facilities for Qatar-bound workers from Bangladesh to impart requisite training as per the job requirement and also in Arabic language. While in Doha, he paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, at the Qatari Amiri Dewane (Doha Palace). The Qatari Prime Minister lauded the honest and hardworking Bangladeshi workers now numbering 3,80,000 for their contribution in the development of Qatar. The Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali thanked the government and the people of Qatar for hosting Bangladeshi workers and opined that Bangladesh can also provide professionals like doctors, nurses and teachers along with the traditional work force. The Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali held Official talks with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhiat at the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting both sides discussed issues of mutual interest including bilateral trade and investment prospects, exploration of gas, LNG, infrastructure developments, power generation, defense, marine fisheries, people to people contact, diplomatic land exchange and pledged to support each other in the international fora.