Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached Brussels on Tuesday evening for a three-day official visit to Belgium to attend the Global Gateway Forum, to be held there from Wednesday to Thursday.
She went to Brussels at the invitation of the European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen.
"A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Dhaka at 11.10am (Dhaka time) and reached at Brussels Zaventem Airport at 6:30pm, local time," Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
On the board, the prime minister exchanged pleasantries with the passengers of the commercial aircraft and Biman crew.
While roaming the flight, she had taken a one-year-old baby boy Yeasin on her lap and spent some time playing with him. The child at one stage took away her glass.
Many passengers were seen taking pictures and selfies with the premier.
During the visit, the prime minister will have a number of meetings with leaders of European countries on the sidelines of the forum.
On Wednesday, the premier will hold separate bilateral meetings with EC President Ursula von der Leyen and EC Executive Vice President and European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
After the meetings, she along with the EC president and the European Investment Bank (EIB) president will witness the signing of a loan agreement between the government of Bangladesh and the EIB. The EU will provide €407 million to Bangladesh in the form of concessional loans and grants. Of this, €350 million will be concessional loans.
On the same day, prime minister will attend the Global Gateway Forum's opening plenary session and deliver her speech.
She will have a meeting with EIB President Dr Werner Hoyer in the afternoon.
Besides, EC Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic and EC Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen will call on the Bangladesh premier.
In the evening, the prime minister will attend a dinner hosted by the EC president in honour of the heads of state and governments participating in the Global Gateway Forum.
On Thursday, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with her Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo.
The premier will also hold a meeting with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
In the afternoon, Sheikh Hasina will attend a community reception accorded to her by Bangladeshi expatriates living in Belgium.
On Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to return to Bangladesh, leaving Brussels at 10 pm on Thursday local time.