Bangladesh has decided to gift 13 military vehicles to the Maldives as a token of friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit the Maldives on December 22 on a two-day official visit, upon an invitation from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Upon her arrival at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Prime Minister Hasina is to be received by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel.
During her visit, four instruments including two memoranda of understanding (MoU) are to be signed on December 23. The four proposed instruments are Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, Agreement on the Transfer of Prisoners; renewal of the MoU in areas of Health Care and Medical Sciences, and the MoU on Cooperation in the Area of Youth and Sports Development. In addition, the MoU on Recruitment of Qualified Health Professionals will also be renewed between the two countries.
During the visit, Prime Minister Hasina will hold meetings with President Solih, Vice President Faisal Naseem, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, and Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.
Meanwhile, as preparations for the official visit, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said a part of the lagoon and roads of VIA will be closed off on December 22. MACL revealed the roads from the north of the international terminal to the south end of the cargo building will be closed from 1400 hours to 1600 hours.
MACL also said the land and lagoons of the airport will also be closed during these hours for security purposes. Therefore, all vessels are prohibited from entering and harbouring in the lagoons of the region. MACL said sea vessels can only use the south channel during these hours.