Prof Yunus Offers Economic Zone, Seeks Qatari Investment

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has invited Qatari investors to explore new opportunities in Bangladesh, offering a dedicated Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for Qatari businesses, including ventures in defence equipment manufacturing.

"Our aim is to transform Bangladesh into a regional economic and manufacturing hub," Prof Yunus told Qatari leaders during a series of high-level meetings in Doha on Wednesday. "You can set up any factory — whether labour-intensive or high-tech — and we are ready to support it."

The offer came during meetings with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr. Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Al Thani.

Prof Yunus was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the Qatari Armed Forces before his discussions at the Ministry of Defence. At the meeting, he emphasized the mutual benefits of deeper defence and economic cooperation between the two nations.

He thanked the Qatari government for recently deciding to recruit 725 Bangladeshi troops and called for expanded recruitment to strengthen Qatar's security forces.

In a separate meeting at the Ministry of Commerce, Prof Yunus and Sheikh Faisal bin Al Thani discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He spotlighted key sectors such as transportation, banking, and hospitality, noting that Bangladesh's recent policy reforms have significantly improved its investment climate.

"Bangladesh is ready to offer a streamlined, investor-friendly environment to Qatari businesses," Prof Yunus said during a luncheon hosted in his honour.

Later in the afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Qawari hosted the Chief Adviser for tea, where both sides discussed enhancing manpower cooperation, particularly the increased recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for Qatar’s growing labour market.

Earlier in the day, Prof Yunus also joined a high-level meeting focused on the Rohingya crisis. He urged the international community to intensify efforts to address the ongoing plight of the persecuted Myanmar Muslim community. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, CEO of the Qatar Foundation, also spoke at the meeting and expressed her intention to visit Bangladesh soon.

Additionally, the Chief Adviser sought the support of Qatar Charity for advancing technological education in Bangladeshi madrasas, underscoring his government’s commitment to modernizing religious education.

Prof Yunus is scheduled to depart for Rome on Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

He was accompanied in Qatar by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed.