MoUs between Bangladesh and Maldives

MoUs between Bangladesh and Maldives is likely to be signed at a meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Soli at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih Mujib arrived in Dhaka yesterday

morning to celebrate the year and the golden jubilee of independence. He is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Madam Fajna Ahmed. A 28-member delegation, including Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid and Economic Development Minister Fayaz Ismail, also joined him.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh and Maldives have been working closely on bilateral and international issues since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1986.

The Maldives, an island nation and a significant tourist destination globally is home to about 100,000 Bangladeshis. Trade between the two countries is also limited, but officials have a tremendous opportunity to encourage it.

Foreign Ministry officials said Bangladesh and Maldives signed two agreements during Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid’s visit in February this year.

One was the training of foreign service officers, and the other was cooperation in the recruitment of human resources from Bangladesh. Against that background, today’s meeting is likely to limit the relationship further, officials said.

Foreign Ministry Secretary (East) Mashafi, bint Shams

said the Maldives mainly depends on imports. He said Bangladesh could significantly increase exports to the Maldives in terms of efficiency and availability of manufacturing and IT services base, he said. He added, “We can expand products and services in the Maldives. We can also increase cultural cooperation,

He said the Maldives has a lot of experience in deep-sea fishing, and Bangladesh can take technical skills from there. Rear Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, said Bangladesh could export processed food, ceramics, leather goods, RMG, jute products, and pharmaceutical products.

“Currently the cost of transportation is high, because our products need to be exported through Singapore or Colombo port. So we have offered direct shipping service between Bangladesh and Maldives. This could help reduce transportation costs and increase trade, “he told reporters on Tuesday.

There are now only three Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies approved for drug exports to the Maldives. This number could be increased as there are plenty of world-class pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh. Bangladesh also proposed a priority trade agreement for the consideration of the Maldives. He said that the Maldives is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Tour operators of the two countries can take the joint initiative to promote tourism, and Bangladesh can also learn from Maldives’ tourism skills.

Also, Maldives is a major exporter of tuna fish.

Bangladesh has vast areas of deep-sea but does not have deep-sea fishing skills. “We can establish a joint venture in this regard,” he said.

Nazmul Hasan said that since most of the unregistered Bangladeshis live in the Maldives, they may seek repatriation because their economy is not in a good position now due to the coronavirus epidemic.

“We will request that those who wish to return volunteers must be repatriated. But those who want to continue should have the opportunity to regularize and continue working,” said Nazmul Hasan.

The Maldives has tried to recruit more doctors and nurses from Bangladesh. He said the foreign ministry had referred the matter to the health ministry for consideration.

The Ambassador of Bangladesh said, “We already have very friendly relations with the Maldives. We want to take it to the next level.”

First, Salih had a private meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Later he held a bilateral meeting. The MoUs were then signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the Bangladesh delegation in the bilateral meeting. Salih, on the other hand, led the Maldives delegation. The meeting discussed various issues of common interest. Later a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries.

According to the Maldivian president’s visit, Salihar is scheduled to hold talks with the Maldivian community at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital at 2.30 pm

Salih will go to Bangabhaban this evening. There, the president said. Salih will hold a meeting with Abdul Hamid. He will later attend a state banquet in his honor at Bangabhaban. Enjoy cultural events there. Photo: Maldivian President’s Office Twitter
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Visiting Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Salihar

has held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. Four MoUs have been signed there. Earlier, the meeting began at 11 am on Thursday (March 18) at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The MoUs include forming a Joint Commission (JCC), regular meetings at the Foreign Secretary-level, assistance in the extraction of marine resources, and cultural exchanges.

Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister MM Imrul Kayes said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed the Maldivian president when he arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office at 11 am on Thursday.

This evening, the president said Bangabhaban. He is scheduled to have a courtesy meeting with Abdul Hamid. He will then attend a state banquet at Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also expected to attend the banquet. The Maldivian president will return home tonight after the visit.

Tribute to the President of the Maldives at the National Memorial

Earlier on Wednesday (March 17), the President of Maldives arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit. Later, he paid homage to the heroic martyrs of the liberation war at the National Memorial in Savar. From the National Memorial, he went to Dhanmondi No. 32 in the capital. There, the President of Maldives paid homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu at the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. He also visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. Signed the inspection book. Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana was present at the time.

The President of Maldives has arrived in Dhaka

Later in the afternoon, as the source of online Bangla news Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Salih attended the first day of a 10-day program titled ‘Mujib Chiranton’ to mark the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of independence at the National Parade Square in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest at the presidency. Abdul Hamid.