Bangladesh and Qatar are set to enhance their bilateral ties, focusing on cooperation in manpower, energy, trade, and investment during the upcoming visit of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Bangladesh next month.

According to sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions are underway to finalize around twelve cooperation documents, which will be signed during the Emir's two-day visit scheduled for April 21-22.

Preparations for the visit include the negotiation of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, which will be signed following the Emir's meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. An inter-ministerial meeting has already been conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate various aspects of the visit.

The visit comes after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's meeting with the Emir of Qatar during the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha last year, where she emphasized the need for increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet Bangladesh's energy demands.

Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar have a long-standing history, dating back to Bangladesh's recognition as a sovereign state by Qatar in 1974. The mutual respect, shared values, and cultural ties between the two countries have strengthened over the years.

The significant presence of Bangladeshi workers in Qatar, numbering over four hundred thousand, is a testament to the strong people-to-people contacts and the appreciation for their discipline and hard work. Bangladesh and Qatar view each other as brotherly countries and important development partners, aligning their visions for national development with Bangladesh's Vision 2041 and Qatar's Vision 2030.