In what has come as a big relief and welcome news for the citizens of Bangladesh, the Sultanate of Oman has decided to open its embassy in Dhaka.

Until now, Oman has been continuing its operations in Dhaka from a single room in the Qatar embassy premises.

Welcoming the decision, Nurul Alam Chowdhury, the Bangladesh ambassador to Oman said, "We have been informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has agreed to open a full-fledged embassy in Dhaka.

"We are grateful to His Majesty for his wise decision. This will boost bilateral trade and investment. Besides, this was very important because between 400,000 and 500,000 Bangladeshis live and work here.-

The ambassador added, "I have been informed that the embassy will be opened soon. I believe that the ministry is in the process of finalising the legal procedures for the opening of the embassy. Once the legal process is over, an official Omani delegation will visit Bangladesh to conclude all formalities, including identifying a suitable place for the embassy.-

Chowdhury said the Bangladeshi government was willing to extend all cooperation in this regard. "Whether Oman wants to operate from a rented accommodation or build its own building, we are willing to support.

"Besides, our piece of land is ready for you,- he said.
"All the community people have welcomed and thanked His Majesty for agreeing to establish the embassy,- Chowdhury said, adding that the opening of new embassy would pave the way for closer ties between the two countries.

"The relations between Oman and People's Republic of Bangladesh are poised to reach greater heights with the two sides planning cooperation in unexplored sectors such as oil, gas, agriculture, fisheries, trade and investment.

"The presence of the Omani embassy will facilitate trade and investment. It will make work easier for businessmen and boost business prospects,- he noted.

Commenting on the announcement, he said, "Since taking over the charge in Oman, this issue has been on the top of my agenda. Whenever I have met Omani ministers, I have made it a point to raise this issue with them. During her visit, Dr Dipu Moni, Bangladesh foreign minister too had raised this issue with Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman's minister of foreign affairs. We are relieved that the decision has been taken.-

This will also ease the recruitment process of around 10,000 Bangladeshis who arrive in Oman every month.

"Apart from unskilled workers, a lot of skilled workers are also being recruited. Last year, 300 doctors were recruited at the government hospitals in Oman,- he said.

The ambassador said that apart from Bangladeshi citizens, even Omanis are bound to welcome the news.

"Around 500 Omanis, who go to Bangladesh to attend the Tablighi Jamaat, the largest Muslim congregation after the Hajj, face problem due to the absence of Omani embassy in Dhaka.-
Since 2001, Oman has been represented by a First Secretary, who sits inside the Qatar Embassy. "This has meant very long queues. Besides, all visas are not issued in Bangladesh so this decision may solve many problems,- he said.

It may be recalled that Bangladesh had opened its resident mission in Muscat, at the level of Charge d'Affaires on March 5, 1983 and upgraded it to the level of Ambassador in 1995
MOU signed.

A release from the Bangladesh embassy says that a trade delegation, led by HE Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Badi, Member of Oman Majlis A'Shura and Chairman of Al Badi Group, recently (August 28-31, 2012) visited Bangladesh and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladeshi counterpart (Studio Ecotecture Limited) to provide professional services in the fields of engineering, construction, infrastructure and the allied sectors or any other areas of mutual interest.

"More companies from Bangladesh are showing keen interest to do business including joint venture projects in the Sultanate, a booming economy even in these days of severe global financial crisis,- the release adds