Maldivian Vice President Faisal Naseem has shown keen interest to recruit specialised professionals and doctors from Bangladesh, seeking to establish direct shipping line between Chattogram and Malé, to enhance bilateral trade.

The visiting Maldivian vice president expressed his eagerness while Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen called on him at the InterContinental Dhaka last evening, an official release said today.

Naseem arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a three-day official visit.

During the meeting, Dr Momen assured the Maldivian vice president of extending necessary assistance in providing medical education, training and skills development in various areas in Maldives.

He stated that Bangladeshi expatriate workers in Maldives are diligently contributing to the host economy.

The Bangladesh foreign minister also agreed to work on establishing direct shipping line between the two countries for further increasing bilateral trade volume.

Both the leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, discussed ways and means for further strengthening cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

They emphasised importance of further deepening the bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations.

Momen said Bangladesh attaches high importance to Maldives which is rooted in shared religion, culture and values.

He recalled that the state visit of Maldives President on birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh last March.

He thanked the Maldives government through the vice president for the gift of 2,00,000 Covid-19 vaccines for the people of Bangladesh.

The Maldives vice president is accompanied by among others, two cabinet ministers and the foreign secretary of Maldives.

On Bangladesh side, Dr Momen was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other senior officials of foreign ministry.

The Maldivian vice president is also expected to meet few cabinet ministers and Bangladesh President during the visit.