President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called for expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the Maldives in trade, investment, employment, tourism, fisheries and fisheries resource management to strengthen bilateral relations.
“Bangladesh and the Maldives have longstanding friendly relations, and there are huge opportunities to further advance ties between the two countries based on mutual trust, goodwill and shared interests,” he said.
The president made the remarks when Maldives high commissioner to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in the morning, presidential press secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS.
During the meeting, the high commissioner conveyed a congratulatory message and greetings from Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.
Fakhrul thanked her and conveyed his greetings to the Maldivian president.
Rasheed also informed him of plans to organise a business summit in Dhaka, an initiative the president welcomed.
He said the summit would increase engagement between businesspeople and investors from both countries and further expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Referring to the contribution of more than one lakh Bangladeshis working in the Maldives, the president highlighted opportunities for greater cooperation in several sectors.
“Cooperation can be further strengthened in sectors, including manpower, tourism, fisheries and fisheries resource management, for the mutual benefit of both countries,” he said.
The president also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to continuing existing facilities and opportunities for Maldivian students to pursue medical education in the country.
On regional cooperation, Fakhrul emphasised the need to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
“Bangladesh is interested in making regional cooperation more effective and stronger by revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation,” he said.
He stressed the importance of the Maldives’ cooperation and positive role in achieving this objective.
Both sides expressed hope that the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives would be further strengthened.
The president’s military secretary, press secretary and a director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.
