DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday morning on a 3-day official visit. 

A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8.40am.

Prime Minister’s office confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon and chiefs of three services among other high officials were present at the airport.

Half a dozen agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on trade, manpower and investment are expected to be signed between Bangladesh and the UAE during the visit, sources said.

The premier is scheduled to hold meetings with Mother of the Nation Sheikh Fatima, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

Sheikh Hasina will also attend a reception of Bangladeshi community in Abu Dhabi.

The Prime Minister will fly to Dubai on Monday to hold a meeting with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hasina will also visit Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) and hold a meeting with its ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Aaqr Al Quasi. 

The Prime Minister is expected to return home on Monday night by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. 

BDST: 1236 HRS, OCT 25, 2014