PM leaves for Maldives Wednesday

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Male on Wednesday on a two-day official visit.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim on Tuesday said A special VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12pm,"

The flight is scheduled to reach Male, the capital of the Maldives, at 3pm (local time) where she will be received by the Maldivian state minister for foreign affairs.

According to the Foreign Ministry, four instruments, including two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on health, education, transfer of prisoners and on avoidance of dual taxation, are likely to be signed during the visit.

The four proposed deeds are Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income; Agreement on the Transfer of Prisoners; MoU in the areas of Healthcare and Medical Sciences between Bangladesh and Maldives (renewal); MoU between Bangladesh and Maldives on Cooperation in the Area of youth and Sports Development.

Besides, the MoU on Recruitment of Qualified Health Professionals between Bangladesh and the Maldives will be renewed.

During the visit, Bangladesh will gift 13 military vehicles to the Maldives as a token of friendship between the two south Asian nations, according to the Foreign Ministry.

On December 23, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be formally received by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the Presidential Palace. She will be given guard of honor there.

The Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with the Maldivian President to discuss various issues. After the meeting, the officials concerned of the two countries will sign the instruments in the presence of the Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Maldivian President.

A joint statement will be issued between the two countries while the two leaders will jointly appear in front of the media.

The Prime Minister will address the People’s Majlis, the Maldives National Parliament, on December 23 afternoon.

In the evening, Hasina is scheduled to attend a state banquet to be hosted by the Maldivian President and the First Lady in her honor.

Read: PM Hasina off to Europe to join COP26, other events

On December 24, the Prime Minister will virtually join a community reception given by the Bangladeshis expatriates in Male.

Faisal Naseem, Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Maldivian national parliament. Mohammed Nasheed, and Chief Justice Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, are expected to pay courtesy calls on the Bangladeshi head of the government at the Meeting Room of Hotel Jen, Male. The Prime Minister is scheduled to reach Dhaka on December 27.