UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saturday on a 3-day official visit.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage landed here at 11:45am (local time).

Bangladesh Envoy to Abu Dhabi Mohammad Imran, Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai Masudur Rahman, first secretary AKM Mizanur Rahman and high officials of UAE received the premier.

Leaders and activists of local Awami League also welcomed them outside the airport.

Earlier, the plane took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8.40am (BDST) with PM and her 50-member entourage including Expatriate Welfare minister, foreign minister, state minister for home and state minister for labour.

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.

** PM flies to UAE on 3-day visit

BDST: 1515 HRS, OCT 25, 2014