The Governments of the Maldives and Bangladesh have conducted discussions on enhancing connectivity between the two countries to promote tourism and trade. The discussions were held during the official talks held between the governments of the two countries, as part of the ongoing state visit by Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.
The official talks were led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 23, 2021. During the talks, the two leaders reviewed the entire range of bilateral engagements including exploring new avenues to for further strengthening cooperation on trade, investment, connectivity, health, culture, agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, human resources development, consular and community welfare. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed the global COVID-19 pandemic and noted the devastating impacts it has had on the economies, livelihoods and wellbeing of the people in both the countries, as well as across the globe. Both leaders agreed on the importance of equitable access to vaccines to combat the pandemic.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated President Solih on the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Maldives. She also appreciated President Solih for ensuring the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in Maldives, and including them in the government’s vaccination programme.
President Solih also appreciated the initiatives taken by the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for successfully managing the pandemic in Bangladesh and balancing lives and livelihoods to minimize its negative impact on economy. He also thanked the Bangladeshi prime minister for mobilizing support in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, including the deployment of medical teams of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to the Maldives.
Furthermore, President Solih reiterated Maldives’ request to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of health, higher education and human resource development. The president thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and appreciated the willingness of Bangladesh to assist the Maldives in these areas, through increased opportunities for higher education in multiple fields, including vocational training and internships for medical students. The two leaders directed their respective officials to coordinate to work out the details in this regard.
During the talks, President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed that connectivity in all its forms is crucial to promote tourism and trade. In this regard, they welcomed the launch of flights between Dhaka and Malé by US Bangla Airlines, noting this will boost people to people contact and trade opportunities between the two countries. They also stressed on the early launching of the direct shipping link.
During the talks, both leaders noted the untapped scope for economic cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh. They agreed to expedite the work in translating this potential into tangible outcomes through trade and investment initiatives. In the context of graduation from LDC status, and the need to maintain benefits enjoyed under South Asian Free Trade Area, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s offer to conclude a Preferential Trade Agreement with the Maldives. President Solih welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiative for Preferential Trade Agreement and to hold Commerce Secretary Level Meeting to discuss trade related issues in details at the earliest.
Appreciating the enormous contribution made by the Bangladeshi expatriates to the socio-economic development of Maldives, President Solih stressed that a large number of Bangladeshi workers still remain undocumented and vulnerable to exploitation. Both leaders noted the importance of regularisation and recognized the urgency of the early conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Matters Relating to Migrant Workers and instructed their respective authorities to institute the modalities to expedite addressing this issue.
President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated their commitment to promote and protect human rights in all fora. They also agreed to extend all possible support to the candidacies floated by either country in various international organizations including the United Nations. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to promote human rights.
On conclusion of the official talks and the signing of bilateral agreements, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked President Solih for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to her and members of her delegation during their stay in Maldives.