Staff Correspondent

A red carpet was rolled out to accord a warm reception to Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on his arrival here today on a two-day official visit as President Mohammed Shahabuddin received him.

The Head of the State welcomed Qatar Amir with flower bouquets at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HISA) in the capital this afternoon.

A special aircraft, carrying the Amir and his entourage members, landed at the airport at about 5 pm.

A 21-gun salute heralded the Amir's arrival at the HISA while he was getting down from the aircraft.

The Amir was also taken to the makeshift saluting dais where he was given "a guard of honour" while the two countries' national anthems were played.

Later, the Amir of Qatar inspected the parade ground.

President Shahabuddin introduced the Bangladesh delegation waiting in the presentation line with Amir as the Amir also introduced his representatives.

Several ministers, chiefs of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, foreign secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), secretaries concerned to the president's office and senior military and civil officials were present.

The Amir of Qatar has arrived in Dhaka at the special invitation of Bangladesh President Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After the ceremony at the airport, the Amir of Qatar will be staying at the Le Meridien Dhaka Hotel along with his entourages during the Dhaka visit, reads the programme schedule.

Tomorrow morning, a high official of the foreign ministry will pay a courtesy call to the Amir of Qatar.

Then, the Amir will have a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Shimul of the prime minister's office at 10:15 am. They will have a tete-a-tete (one-to-one) meeting too.

Later, six agreements and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are likely to be signed between the two countries during this visit.

Agreements are- avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion, cooperation in legal matters, maritime transport, mutual investment development and protection, transfer of convicted persons and establishment of a joint business council.

Apart from these, five memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including on labour force, higher education and scientific research, and cooperation in diplomatic training are likely to be signed during the visit.

On 23 April, President Shahabuddin will host a courtesy lunch in honour of the Amir of Qatar at Durbar Hall of the Bangabhaban.

The Amir is scheduled to fly for Qatar by a special aircraft on Tuesday evening.

A high official of the foreign ministry will see him off at the HISA, according to a programme.