ZCZC
BSS-60
PRESIDENT-MINISTER-MALDIVES
Maldives keen to explore further avenues for cooperation with Bangladesh
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.
BSS/ASG/SIR/MRU/2118hrs