DUBAI: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will arrive in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sunday on a two-day official visit, escalating the hope of a number of good news among Bangladeshi expatriates. 

The premier will pay the visit at the invitation of her UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. During the visit, two agreements related to security and extraditions of convicts are expected to be signed.

It is expected that this visit will pave the way for reopening the UAE labor market for the Bangladeshis.  Especially, the Bangladeshi expatriates are giving the Prime Minister’s tour priority.

Banglanews correspondent experienced exactly the same scenario while visited Dubai city and talked to the expatriates.

Bangladeshis were seen discussing the premier’s much-awaited visit. They were eager to know whether Bangladesh could be able to open again the UAE labor market, which remained closed for a long time.

The correspondent arrived at Dubai city several days before the premier’s visit and faced the same question of expatriates about the fate of labor market for Bangladeshis.

Dubai-expatriate Bangladeshi engineer Asaduzzaman Roni also hoped that the market will reopen this time. If it does so, a significant number of people from Bangladesh will be employed in Dubai.

In addition, some 10 lakhs expatriates residing here will get opportunities to change their workplaces and to solve many of their problems.

“Dubai is such a big labor market for us (Bangladesh). But the government never took under consideration such an important matter like Dubai Visa closure. Finally, government has come to the realization after a long time” Roni said.

He also hoped, “The premier should meet the demands of UAE in this regard. She can’t come here with the empty hands of hopes only.”

Besides, the workers and Bangladeshi officials living in Dubai expressed also their interest over the premier’s visit.

Bangladeshi youth Mazharul Islam, an employee at a Middle East-based Airline, told banglanews that it is a much-awaited visit of the PM.

“We wanted to know about it (the visit), though I am doing a good job. I will not think about my country’s people, this cannot happen,” Roni said. “We want better life for 10 lakhs Bangladeshi expatriates apart from confirmation of jobs for more Bangladeshis in UAE.”

Another expatriate Mizanur Rahman said the problem of visa closure would not arise, if the government-level relation was maintained properly.

Widespread activities are underway across the city centering the Dubai Expo-2020. A lot of workers are needed for the Exposition. The expatriates are expecting that the premier will take initiative so that they can take part in the upcoming event.

BDST: 0948 HRS, OCT 21, 2014