Dhaka, April 22 -- Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold the first round of negotiation on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) soon, aiming to boost bilateral trade, which will help the country navigate the economic challenges in post-LDC period.

The commerce ministry has already formed a high-powered Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) in line with the Regional Trade Agreement-2022, sources said.

The UAE is home to 1.2 million Bangladeshis (10 per cent of the Emirate's population). Bangladeshis are the third largest expatriate community in the UAE after India and Pakistan, according to a document of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Dubai.

The UAE has become the 18th largest trad...