President Hamid for Bangladesh-Maldives direct air, water links

President Abdul Hamid today stressed the need for establishing direct air and water connectivity between Maldives and Bangladesh to further enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries. 

He said this while his Maldivian counterpart Ibrahim Mohamed Solih paid a courtesy call at Bangabhaban this evening.

President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.

Terming tourism a potential sector in Bangladesh and Maldives, the president called upon investors and businessmen to work together to utilise the existing potentials of the two states.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's wife Rashida Khanam and Maldivian First Lady Fazna Ahmed also attended the cultural function followed by dinner. 

The Bangladesh president hosted the dinner in honour of the Maldivian president who is on a three-day tour of Dhaka to attend the celebrations of Bangladesh's golden jubilee of independence and birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Praising the Maldivian government's decision to provide free Covid-19 vaccination to Bangladeshi expatriates in Maldives, President Hamid said, "Bangladesh is ready to send more skilled manpower to the Maldives in various professions."

He welcomed Maldivian students to choose Bangladesh for education in the field of medicine and technology, saying, "Bangladesh has the potential to provide educational opportunities to more students."

Referring to various memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on bilateral issues between Bangladesh and Maldives signed at the Prime Minister's Office, Hamid said the visit of the Maldivian president would be a unique milestone to strengthen the existing ties between the two countries.

Hamid urged Maldives to import international standard-Bangladeshi products, including medicine, readymade garments (RMG) and ceramics.

President Solih also agreed to establish air and water connectivity between Bangladesh and the Maldives saying that it would help expand trade and investment of two states in the future.

Solih highly appreciated the ongoing tremendous progress of the Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in transforming the country into a developed one by 2041.

Later, the Maldives president signed the visitor's book of Bangabhaban. He also enjoyed a 25-minute cultural programme, presented by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, his Maldivian Counterpart Abdulla Shahid and secretaries concerned, among others, were present there.

Earlier, upon arrival, the Maldivian President and his wife were received by President Hamid and First Lady Rashida Khanam at Octagonal of the Presidential palace.

Meanwhile, the First Lady of Maldives Fazna Ahmed paid a course call on the Bangladesh President's wife Rashida Kanam on the sidelines of the meeting.

They exchanged views and enquired about each other's health.