DHAKA, Feb 10, 2021 (BSS) – The Maldivian government is keen to explore further avenues for cooperation with Bangladesh in some potential sectors, including trade and investment, to take forward the bilateral partnership.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid expressed his government’s eagerness with enhancing the existing bilateral relations with Bangladesh during a meeting with President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening.
FM Shahid, who is on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh, apprised the President of the upcoming tour of his (Maldivian) President to attend the celebration’s programmes of Bangladesh’s Independence Golden Jubilee and Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Maldives foreign minister hoped that the existing relations between the two countries would reach new heights with the visit of the Maldivian President to Bangladesh on the occasion.
Welcoming the FM, President Hamid said the Maldives is a tested friend of Bangladesh and Bangladesh attaches importance to strengthening ties with the Maldives.
“Bangladesh and the Maldives support each other on various issues in regional and international forums.
With about 85,000 Bangladeshis working in the Maldives, they are making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the two countries, the President observed.
Noting that Bangladesh has a lot of skilled manpower, Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh is ready to send more skilled manpower to the Maldives.
The President said many Maldivian students are taking higher education here in various fields, including medicine and engineering. “There is an opportunity to provide higher education to more Maldivian students in Bangladesh,” he added.
Referring to the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between the two countries during the visit, the President said this would further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, including trade and investment, education and culture.
The President mentioned that Bangladesh produces various international standard products including medicine, readymade garments (RMG), ceramics, leather and leather goods, jute products. The Maldives could import these products, especially medicines, from
Bangladesh, he added.
During the meeting, the visiting FM lauded the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
Envoys of the two countries and secretaries concerned to Bangabhaban were also present there.