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. (source: bss)