PM holds ‘fruitful discussion’ with Maldivian President

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said she had fruitful bilateral talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on promoting trade, investment, and connectivity between the two countries.

“I had a detailed discussion with President Solih on promoting bilateral trade, investment, and connectivity,” she said.

The premier came up with the assertion while addressing a joint press statement with Maldivian President after witnessing the signing of three bilateral instruments and handing over 13 military vehicles to the Maldives government following a bilateral dialogue at the President's Office.

She added: “Despite opportunities, we could not yet fully tap the potentials of bilateral trade and investment. With its growing manufacturing capacity, Bangladesh would be able to supply many quality products to the Maldives at competitive price.”

“I re-emphasized the necessity of a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries and a bilateral investment protection arrangement for mutual facilitation of investment,” she added at the press statement.  

She said during the dialogue they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in health, education, human resources development, youth and sports, fisheries, and agriculture between the two countries and work together to face the challenge of climate change and the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Regarding the outcome of the talks, she said, “I am happy to share that we just held a very fruitful discussion on the entire spectrum of our bilateral relations. We reviewed the progress made so far on our earlier decisions and found the outcome satisfactory.”

She said that they also discussed cooperation in multilateral fora including countering terrorism.

Sheikh Hasina expected a positive role of the media of the countries to further boost up bilateral relations.

She added offered to supply many quality products to the Maldives at competitive prices as the manufacturing capacity of Bangladesh is growing.

Sheikh Hasina added: “She said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that Bangladesh accepted the Maldives' proposal for recruiting health professionals from Bangladesh and at the same time Bangladesh will create opportunities for specialized post-graduation medical courses for Maldivian students.”

She said the Bangladesh government has decided to facilitate visas on arrival for Maldivian nationals in the context of the improved situation of the current coronavirus pandemic.

“We agreed to strengthen our bilateral cooperation especially in the areas like Health, Education and Human Resources Development, Youth and Sports, Fisheries and Agriculture.”

 “It is a matter of great satisfaction that Bangladesh accepted the proposal for recruiting health professionals from Bangladesh and opportunities for specialized post-graduation medical courses for Maldivian students,” she said.