Oman has expressed interest in recruiting 10,000 workers from Bangladesh, 5,000 farmers and an equal number of fishermen while an agreement has also been signed in this regard, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said today.

"Oman has expressed its interest in recruiting 5,000 farmers and 5,000 fishermen, a total of 10,000 people from Bangladesh, and an agreement has also been signed," she told reporters at the foreign ministry here.

Shama said representatives of the Omani government are expected to visit Bangladesh next month to hold discussions with the relevant authorities to work out the details of the recruitment.

"Insha'Allah, representatives from the Omani government will visit Bangladesh next month. During their visit, they will hold discussions with the relevant ministry to finalise the details," she said.

She made the comments after holding a meeting with Al Sayyid Mohammed Salim Ali Al Said, a member of the Royal Family of the Sultanate of Oman at the foreign ministry.

The state minister said visas for Bangladeshi nationals to Oman remain restricted due to various issues originating during the tenure of the previous government.

She said the government is pursuing diplomatic initiatives with Muscat to restore regular access for Bangladeshi workers to the Omani labour market.

"We are making efforts through diplomatic initiatives to ensure that Bangladeshi workers can resume going to Oman on a regular basis," she added.

Shama said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is placing particular emphasis on technical education and skilled migration as part of its overseas employment strategy.

Bangladesh has highlighted the priority to the Omani government as Dhaka seeks to send more skilled workers capable of contributing to different sectors of the Gulf country's economy, she continued.

According to the state minister, Oman has shown interest in the approach, and the two countries are working together on the issue.

Responding to questions about visa restrictions facing Bangladeshi nationals in several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Shama said the government is maintaining diplomatic engagement with the countries concerned to resolve the problems.

She recalled that more than 200 Bangladeshis were detained in the UAE after staging demonstrations during the July movement as such protests are prohibited under the country's laws.

Shama said Bangladesh subsequently secured their return through intensive diplomatic efforts. Documentation, visa auto-cancellation and other challenges persist, adding that the foreign ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to address the issues, she added.

The state minister noted that some other South Asian countries are also facing similar visa-related challenges.

Regarding Malaysia, Shama said the foreign ministry expects opportunities for Bangladeshi workers to reopen following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the country.

The exact timing would be finalised following discussions between the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the relevant Malaysian authorities, she added.