Dubai-bound Bangladeshi jobseekers are being scammed with fake visas more than ever, but the authorities are yet to take any effective measure to remedy the situation.
This ill practice came to the forefront again on Monday when a total of 87 Bangladeshi jobseekers were deported from Dubai Airport as the immigration authorities found their visas to be fake.
"This sort of case is not new. Every week some workers are deported from Dubai for similar reasons," said an immigration police officer at Zia International Airport. Only when a large number of workers are deported, it catches the attention of the media, he added.
Abdul Malek, director general of Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issues "photocopy visas" and the BMET does not have any way to verify the authenticity of the visas.
When a country, such as the UAE, issues photocopy visas to foreign workers, the workers will not have the original visa attached to their passports. Instead, they will receive photocopies or faxed copies of the original visas to present before the immigration authorities in the port of entry of that particular country.
When the workers arrive in Dubai and go through immigration process, their employers or their representatives come to the airport to receive the workers with their original visas.
"Our mission [Bangladesh Embassy] in Dubai cannot attest all the visas issued for our workers. Besides, the small number of officials cannot attest all of the approximately 30,000 visas issued a month," said Abdul Malek.
Fraudsters are highly active to take advantage of this process and they are producing fake visas to cheat the jobseekers, said an immigration official.
Asked about the matter Didarul Haque, managing director of Heaven Overseas, that processed documents of six of the deported workers, said they only helped the workers get emigration clearance from BMET and that they were not involved in securing or buying visas of the workers.
In the cases of other countries, there are mechanisms that authenticity of visas could be checked on their websites, but no such mechanism is available for visas issued by the UAE, he said.
"The government should take up the issue immediately with UAE authorities. Otherwise, workers will continue to suffer and the travel agents that arrange the air tickets for the workers will also be affected, as they have to pay the cost of for the return ticket of the deported workers," Didarul Haque said.
Preferring anonymity, another recruiting agent said workers may be deported also because the employers or their managers in Dubai do not accept the workers if they do not get the "payment" for the visas, which are sold against good amount of money.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Abdul Matin Chowdhury, however, believes that there are people in Bangladesh who prepare such fake visas and that they have links with the recruiting agents.
"We shall take actions against the recruiting agencies who processed the documents for the deported workers," he said.
Asked if it was not government indifference about the fact that it has not taken up the issue with UAE authorities or have a mechanism to check the authenticity of the visas, the secretary said, "We have asked our mission in Dubai to talk to the authorities about it. They also tried, but they do not have enough access to UAE authorities."
Abdul Matin Chowdhury, however, said Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UAE and the joint committee formed under the MoU will soon discuss the issue in the UAE. There are also initiatives at diplomatic levels, he said.
Asked what will happen to the workers already deported, BMET DG Abdul Malek said, "We shall write letters to the 13 agencies involved to arrange jobs for the deported workers.”
Sourece: The Daily Star Dated 20-08-2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dhaka Tourism Fair begins on 21-Aug-2008
A four-day 2nd Dhaka Tourism Fair 2008 will begin at the Bashundhara City Complex on Thursday for promoting local tourism.
About a hundred organisations including tour operators, hotels, motels, resorts, theme parks, youth adventure clubs, travel agencies and airlines will take part at the fair which will remain open from 11:00am to 7:0pm till August 24 on the 7th floor of Bashundhara City Complex.
Parjatan Bichitra, a monthly magazine, will organise the tourism fair in association with Banglalink. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, Tour Operator Association of Bangladesh and Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh will coordinate with the organiser.
Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to chief adviser and in charge of the ministry of civil aviation and tourism, is expected to inaugurate the fair.
The Parjatan Bichitra editor, Mahiuddin Helal, speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday said the participating organization will exhibit their discount package tours, discount hotels and motels.
Visitors would also get the chance to visit the Bashundhara indoor amusement park and the Toggy World with the same ticket, said Helal, also the convener of the event.
Workshops on finance for tourism business, travel safety and adventure tourism will also be held at the venue during the fair. ‘Tourism gossip corner for the travel writers and adventurer tourists would be extra attraction at the fair,’ said Helal.
The BPC will set up a stall for the visitors to cast their votes for Cox’s Bazar and Sundarban at the natural seven wonders voting website.
The objective of the fair is to make the local tourism more attractive and market the local tourist destinations in the world tourism market, Helal said.
The entry fee is Tk 10 and visitors would be able to participate in raffle draw with the same ticket.
Banglalink’s marketing executive, Samnun Moheb Chowdhury, and the Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh president, Jamiul Ahmed were present at the press conference.
Sourece: New Age Dated: 20-08-2008
About a hundred organisations including tour operators, hotels, motels, resorts, theme parks, youth adventure clubs, travel agencies and airlines will take part at the fair which will remain open from 11:00am to 7:0pm till August 24 on the 7th floor of Bashundhara City Complex.
Parjatan Bichitra, a monthly magazine, will organise the tourism fair in association with Banglalink. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, Tour Operator Association of Bangladesh and Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh will coordinate with the organiser.
Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to chief adviser and in charge of the ministry of civil aviation and tourism, is expected to inaugurate the fair.
The Parjatan Bichitra editor, Mahiuddin Helal, speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday said the participating organization will exhibit their discount package tours, discount hotels and motels.
Visitors would also get the chance to visit the Bashundhara indoor amusement park and the Toggy World with the same ticket, said Helal, also the convener of the event.
Workshops on finance for tourism business, travel safety and adventure tourism will also be held at the venue during the fair. ‘Tourism gossip corner for the travel writers and adventurer tourists would be extra attraction at the fair,’ said Helal.
The BPC will set up a stall for the visitors to cast their votes for Cox’s Bazar and Sundarban at the natural seven wonders voting website.
The objective of the fair is to make the local tourism more attractive and market the local tourist destinations in the world tourism market, Helal said.
The entry fee is Tk 10 and visitors would be able to participate in raffle draw with the same ticket.
Banglalink’s marketing executive, Samnun Moheb Chowdhury, and the Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh president, Jamiul Ahmed were present at the press conference.
Sourece: New Age Dated: 20-08-2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Number of Hajj Pilgrims Drops by 33pc on 2008
The number of Hajj pilgrims will be lesser by around 33 per cent this year from the expected target of around 65,000, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
A total of 45,416 intending pilgrims have deposited their 'Moallem fee' until the last date on July 13, to perform Hajj this year of them, 7,363 were ballotee and 38,053 non-ballottee pilgrims.
Leaders of HAAB, an association of 330 Hajj agencies, told the FE that the number of Hajj pilgrims fell due to the government's new rule for paying Moallem fee much ahead of the occasion.
Abdus Shukkur, former HAAB president said that economic constraints, new rules for depositing Moallem fee were the main reasons for the slump in Hajj business this year.
He also said: "We think that the general election scheduled for December might be another potential reason for the drop in number of hajj pilgrims."
The Hajj is likely be take place on December 7 or December 8 depending on the sighting of the Moon, and the national elections as per the election road map was also planned in December this year.
Moulana Yakub Sharafati, secretary general of HAAB said the increase in the airfare has also discouraged many Muslims from performing Hajj.
This year, the Dhaka-Jeddah plane fare has been fixed at US$ 1350. Chittagong/Sylhet- Jeddah is $ 1450.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines transport most of the Hajj pilgrims while Saudi Airline carry a small number of Hajis. Hajj flights generally start a month before the Hajj.
HAAB secretary, however, urged the government to declare open sky policy for the interest of the country's thousands of Hajis as every year they suffer much due to mismanagement by the national carrier.
Mohammed Faruk, HAAB president told the FE that cancellation of around 60 hajj agencies might be another reason for the drop in the number of Hajj pilgrims this year.
Source: The Financial Express, Dated:2008-08-13
A total of 45,416 intending pilgrims have deposited their 'Moallem fee' until the last date on July 13, to perform Hajj this year of them, 7,363 were ballotee and 38,053 non-ballottee pilgrims.
Leaders of HAAB, an association of 330 Hajj agencies, told the FE that the number of Hajj pilgrims fell due to the government's new rule for paying Moallem fee much ahead of the occasion.
Abdus Shukkur, former HAAB president said that economic constraints, new rules for depositing Moallem fee were the main reasons for the slump in Hajj business this year.
He also said: "We think that the general election scheduled for December might be another potential reason for the drop in number of hajj pilgrims."
The Hajj is likely be take place on December 7 or December 8 depending on the sighting of the Moon, and the national elections as per the election road map was also planned in December this year.
Moulana Yakub Sharafati, secretary general of HAAB said the increase in the airfare has also discouraged many Muslims from performing Hajj.
This year, the Dhaka-Jeddah plane fare has been fixed at US$ 1350. Chittagong/Sylhet- Jeddah is $ 1450.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines transport most of the Hajj pilgrims while Saudi Airline carry a small number of Hajis. Hajj flights generally start a month before the Hajj.
HAAB secretary, however, urged the government to declare open sky policy for the interest of the country's thousands of Hajis as every year they suffer much due to mismanagement by the national carrier.
Mohammed Faruk, HAAB president told the FE that cancellation of around 60 hajj agencies might be another reason for the drop in the number of Hajj pilgrims this year.
Source: The Financial Express, Dated:2008-08-13
Paksey can be built as striking tourism area
A T M Nurun Nabi: Paksey, in the district of Pabna, can be built as a striking tourism area. Tourism has nowadays become one of the major sources of income in many countries. And It becomes possible only when the government pays due attention and draws a strategy. The governments of the advanced countries of the world spend a huge sum of money for developing the infrastructure of the possible tourism centres for attracting the foreigners. As a result, countries like Singapore, Hong Kong of China and Malaysia earn billion of dollars annually, meaning that tourism can make a good contribution to the economic development of any country. In this race, Bangladesh may be a good contestant because there are potentials. Those places which could be turned into striking tourism centres are Paksey in the district of Pabna, Cox's Bazaar, Jaflong in Sylhet, Ramsagar in Dinajpur, Banaripara in Barisal, Kuakata in Patuakhali, Sonargaon in Narayanganj, all historical places and the islands of Hatiya, Sandwip and Kutubdia.
Paksey, home of the country's largest railway division, is linked with the rest of country by both the rail and the road. It can be conjoined by air if the damaging and perishing infrastructures of the abandoned airport at Ishurdi, five miles in the north-east, are rebuilt. Paksey has many potentialities to qualify as tourism centre. Some of them are the 5,900 feet long Hardinge Railway Bridge, the Lalon Shah Bridge, the newly constructed EPZ, the friendly environment, the sands and dunes of once rough and tough river Padma and the height of the railway station above the surface (it looks like a hill from distance).
Hardinge Bridge was commissioned to traffic in 1915 when the World War II was burning half of the world. It was constructed at such a time when Great Britain was involved in the fierce war against Germany and her allies. But the then government continued construction work fearless of the last effect of the war. In fact, the success of a project depends upon the good gesture of the government.
However, the specialty of the bridge is its imposing design and marvelous construction. Perhaps, very few railway bridges in the world can match Paksey in the field of design and construction. The double-lane broad gauge lines and a footpath have added extra dimension which can be viewed from under the bridge and Paksey Station. The best prize of Paksey is its friendly environment. As no bus or truck plies in the town, and as baby taxi and cab are seldom found moving with passengers, there is little possibility of the environment becoming polluted. As such, there is little chance of health hazard.
The height of Paksey Station is magnetism. About 45 feet above the surface from the south gives one a unique opportunity to view things of a far distance places around him. Another feature of Paksey is its large trees. Although the unscrupulous people chopped many large trees after independence, particularly during the nineties and onwards, yet Paksey looks beautiful, especially at night owing to electricity. One traveling by train will be charmed when the train passes through Paksey Station and the Hardinge Bridge.
Looking at the dune of Padma, the tourists will be able to experience the bite of the Farakka Barrage constructed on the Indian part of the river Padma. The barrage was commissioned in 1979 and later dried up river Padma and seriously affected GK Project in Kushtia. The bitter experience the foreigners will justify Bangladesh's right to the water of the Padma.
Paksey has been promoted as business centre following the construction of EPZ. Many new buildings have been constructed to increase the potentiality of the town.. In addition, Paksey has green landscape, an extra beauty for the tourists.
Sourec: The Bangladesh Today Dated:2008-08-14
Paksey, home of the country's largest railway division, is linked with the rest of country by both the rail and the road. It can be conjoined by air if the damaging and perishing infrastructures of the abandoned airport at Ishurdi, five miles in the north-east, are rebuilt. Paksey has many potentialities to qualify as tourism centre. Some of them are the 5,900 feet long Hardinge Railway Bridge, the Lalon Shah Bridge, the newly constructed EPZ, the friendly environment, the sands and dunes of once rough and tough river Padma and the height of the railway station above the surface (it looks like a hill from distance).
Hardinge Bridge was commissioned to traffic in 1915 when the World War II was burning half of the world. It was constructed at such a time when Great Britain was involved in the fierce war against Germany and her allies. But the then government continued construction work fearless of the last effect of the war. In fact, the success of a project depends upon the good gesture of the government.
However, the specialty of the bridge is its imposing design and marvelous construction. Perhaps, very few railway bridges in the world can match Paksey in the field of design and construction. The double-lane broad gauge lines and a footpath have added extra dimension which can be viewed from under the bridge and Paksey Station. The best prize of Paksey is its friendly environment. As no bus or truck plies in the town, and as baby taxi and cab are seldom found moving with passengers, there is little possibility of the environment becoming polluted. As such, there is little chance of health hazard.
The height of Paksey Station is magnetism. About 45 feet above the surface from the south gives one a unique opportunity to view things of a far distance places around him. Another feature of Paksey is its large trees. Although the unscrupulous people chopped many large trees after independence, particularly during the nineties and onwards, yet Paksey looks beautiful, especially at night owing to electricity. One traveling by train will be charmed when the train passes through Paksey Station and the Hardinge Bridge.
Looking at the dune of Padma, the tourists will be able to experience the bite of the Farakka Barrage constructed on the Indian part of the river Padma. The barrage was commissioned in 1979 and later dried up river Padma and seriously affected GK Project in Kushtia. The bitter experience the foreigners will justify Bangladesh's right to the water of the Padma.
Paksey has been promoted as business centre following the construction of EPZ. Many new buildings have been constructed to increase the potentiality of the town.. In addition, Paksey has green landscape, an extra beauty for the tourists.
Sourec: The Bangladesh Today Dated:2008-08-14
UAE Firm to Build Exclusive Tourist Zone at Sonadia
A United Arab Emirates (UAE) investment group has expressed interest in building an exclusive tourist zone only for foreigners at Sonadia Island in Cox's Bazar, as world's longest unbroken sea beach in the district holds huge untapped tourism prospects.
Investment Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate of the United Arab Emirates, has set its sights on the panoramic site on the beach of the Bay of Bengal.
Following the proposal from the investment group of the oil-rich Gulf state, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is now conducting a feasibility study.
“Few days back, a representative of Ras Al Khaimah authority made a visit to Sonadia Island. They want to build an exclusive tourist zone at the Island. After that, the Tourism Ministry has asked the Parjatan Corporation to conduct a feasibility study,” Syed Mohammad Zobaer, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, told UNB.
Sonadia Island is about seven kilometers off Cox's Bazar and about nine-square-kilometer in area in the embrace of the Bay. The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters.
During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry their catches of sea fish.
The secretary said the Ras Al Khaimah group has a plan to develop the tourist zone with all modern facilities and arrangements maintaining global standards.
Asked about the feasibility of the proposed Sonadia Exclusive Tourist Zone, he said in terms of natural beauty, the island is very much full of prospects. But the main concern is the environmental aspect of the island .
Investment Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate of the United Arab Emirates, has set its sights on the panoramic site on the beach of the Bay of Bengal.
Following the proposal from the investment group of the oil-rich Gulf state, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is now conducting a feasibility study.
“Few days back, a representative of Ras Al Khaimah authority made a visit to Sonadia Island. They want to build an exclusive tourist zone at the Island. After that, the Tourism Ministry has asked the Parjatan Corporation to conduct a feasibility study,” Syed Mohammad Zobaer, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, told UNB.
Sonadia Island is about seven kilometers off Cox's Bazar and about nine-square-kilometer in area in the embrace of the Bay. The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters.
During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry their catches of sea fish.
The secretary said the Ras Al Khaimah group has a plan to develop the tourist zone with all modern facilities and arrangements maintaining global standards.
Asked about the feasibility of the proposed Sonadia Exclusive Tourist Zone, he said in terms of natural beauty, the island is very much full of prospects. But the main concern is the environmental aspect of the island .
Source:The Daily Star, Dated:13-08-2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Exciting Job openings in Tourism Industry
The hospitality and tourism industry has been well thought-out to be the vastest industry in the world. Its triumph is reviewed by economic indicators such as tourism share of employment and GDP (gross domestic product), or growth in revenues. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, 2007 proved to be the 4th consecutive year of health growth since 2004. The annual increase in travel and tourism economy GDP has averaged 4% in real terms. This is faster than that of the global economy overall. And in the same period travel and tourism has created more than 34 million jobs.
The long-term forecasts point to a mature but steady phase of growth for world Travel and Tourism between 2009 and 2018 with an average growth rate of 4.4% per annum, supporting 297 million jobs and 10.5% of global GDP by 2018. In 2020 the UNWTO envisages 1.6 billion travelers compared to around 900 million travelers in 2007.
The long-term forecasts point to a mature but steady phase of growth for world Travel and Tourism between 2009 and 2018 with an average growth rate of 4.4% per annum, supporting 297 million jobs and 10.5% of global GDP by 2018. In 2020 the UNWTO envisages 1.6 billion travelers compared to around 900 million travelers in 2007.
These are all very impressive figures. But what do they mean? They mean that the Tourism and Hospitality industry is in dire need for human resources to accommodate this mammoth growth. It means that tourism can be the ideal choice for people who are looking for long-term career prospects.
It is vital that young people see tourism and hospitality as a serious and rewarding career choice. Yet not many do. Could it be that they are not well informed about the enormous opportunities that exist by, for instance, career counselors in their high schools, the media, the industry itself, family members or colleagues, or even government authorities representing the industry? Are they aware that young entrants and graduates of hotel management schools can move rapidly up the career ladder and with the proper higher education can aim to be in significant management positions by their mid 30's?
The biggest shortage over the next 10 years seems to be with semi-skilled labor, but the most critical area is with the skilled labor: managers and supervisors. In order to recruit top talent, the industry must speak out loud to attract bright youngsters to join it. The industry must attract young men and women who are looking to develop a career rather than only developing their skills. Employers who look to retain talent need to take more of a stake in their employees' careers.
The other day I leafed through a hospitality news letter and found the following 2 hospitality mentors' commentaries: Joelle Hellinckx, Hilton Hotels' Director of Resourcing for Europe recently commented: "We are planning to open 121 new hotels in Europe by 2016 which, in terms of people, means that by 2011 we need 39 additional general managers and 104 operational managers. In Hilton we already have a large talent pool and have defined paths to reach general manager positions, but we need to find additional people to meet this demand."
Starwood, the world leading Hotel Company, is opening 50 hotels each year over the next five years. "We identified that, by 2009, there would be a gap, so we launched 'Grow global projects'," said Jane Wright, Regional Director of Human Resources, Northwest Europe of Starwood. "The aim is to recognize people we can fast track, so that, in two years time, they will be able to take over the managerial roles." The group is also working on strengthening its relationship with colleges in order to attract graduates from commerce and finance, as well as hospitality, backgrounds.
These are but two minute examples of the shortage in human resources that leading international hotel chains are experiencing. What the young are probably not aware of is that the global tourism industry provides the largest selection of career prospects to young adults who pursue a quality education in this field. Today the industry is much more than hotel and restaurant enterprises.
It now encompasses an array of companies that specialize in airlines, cruise lines, sports arenas and entertainment / amusement centers, senior living communities, car rentals, casinos, club management, real estate development, meeting planning, consulting, corporate managed services, finance companies with ties to investment banking , asset management, conference and convention management, facility design, catering, bed and breakfast operations, large chain restaurants, general brand management and franchise management, accounting, law, human resources and management training, information technology, travel agencies, and much more.
This can be encouraging to cite here about the Bangladeshi hospitality workers round the world, who are also countable and significant with the see-saw of the global hospitality industry's fate. I am hopeful, once Bangladeshi workers will be dominating in aforesaid positions.
There are numerous opportunities for Bengali graduates in this field. Tourism enterprises are facing fierce competition. In order for them to be successful they need to hire graduates of universities with higher education in hospitality and tourism management who have talent and passion for our industry. The speed of change within the industry including change in customer expectations, competition, legislation, new technology, and economic factors emphasizes the need for the industry to anticipate these changes, be clear about its potential impact and make appropriate adjustments to management structures, roles and development. Thus, the need for graduates with a good solid higher education to facilitate and manage change, from strategic and operational perspectives is a must. Clever enterprises know this and hire only graduates with higher degrees in hospitality and tourism management.
As an industry professional, I am always enthusiastic to spread the word around and encourage young people of Bangladesh to choose hospitality and tourism as a career and urge them to pursue a quality education to prepare themselves for promising leadership positions-the great perks await them.
Source: The Independent Dated: 2008-08-05
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Maldives to recruit workers
Maldives is looking to semi-skilled and skilled Bangladeshi workers for its burgeoning tourism sector, said Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid Friday.
Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury met with his Maldives counterpart on the sidelines of SAARC’s 30th Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo, said a foreign ministry statement.
The two-day ministerial meeting—preceding the 15th SAARC Summit—ended Friday in the Sri Lankan capital, attended by the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
‘Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury was told by Maldivian foreign minister Abdullah Shahid that Maldives was keen to have more semi-skilled and skilled Bangladeshi labour for their growing tourism sector,’ the foreign ministry said.
Shahid praised the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to the development of the Maldivian economy, it added.
There are more than 40 thousand Bangladeshis in the Indian Ocean island state, mostly working at either unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The country is mainly dependent on tourism and fishing.
Iftekhar told his Maldivian counterpart that 37 technical training centres of Bangladesh are expected to provide 49,000 skilled pairs of hands this year, which could satisfy, among others, the needs of Maldives.
The foreign adviser also held a sideline meeting with Nepalese finance minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat on Friday.
They discussed ways and means of increasing trade, investment and cultural ties between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.
Source: New Age : Dated 02-08-2008
Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury met with his Maldives counterpart on the sidelines of SAARC’s 30th Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo, said a foreign ministry statement.
The two-day ministerial meeting—preceding the 15th SAARC Summit—ended Friday in the Sri Lankan capital, attended by the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
‘Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury was told by Maldivian foreign minister Abdullah Shahid that Maldives was keen to have more semi-skilled and skilled Bangladeshi labour for their growing tourism sector,’ the foreign ministry said.
Shahid praised the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to the development of the Maldivian economy, it added.
There are more than 40 thousand Bangladeshis in the Indian Ocean island state, mostly working at either unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The country is mainly dependent on tourism and fishing.
Iftekhar told his Maldivian counterpart that 37 technical training centres of Bangladesh are expected to provide 49,000 skilled pairs of hands this year, which could satisfy, among others, the needs of Maldives.
The foreign adviser also held a sideline meeting with Nepalese finance minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat on Friday.
They discussed ways and means of increasing trade, investment and cultural ties between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.
Source: New Age : Dated 02-08-2008
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