President Abdul Hamid on Thursday stressed the need for establishing direct air and water connectivity between Bangladesh and the Maldives to further enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries.
He said this while his Maldivian counterpart Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited Bangabhaban in the evening.
President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Terming tourism a potential sector in both Bangladesh and the Maldives, President Hamid called upon the investors and businessmen to work together to utilize the existing potentials of the two states.
The Bangladesh president hosted dinner in honour of his Maldivian counterpart, who is on a three-day tour to Dhaka to attend the celebrations of Bangladesh’s golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, First Lady Rashida Khanam and Maldivian First Lady Fazna Ahmed were also in attendance.
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 medical studies and technology. "Bangladesh has the potential to provide educational opportunities to more students," he added.
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 the Maldives to import international-standard Bangladeshi products, including medicine, ready-made garments (RMG) and ceramics.
Both the countries would be benefited from this, Hamid added.
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 the 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 Maldivian president signed the visitor's book of Bangabhaban. He also enjoyed a 25-minute cultural program, 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 were also present there.
Earlier, upon arrival, the Maldivian president and his wife were received by President Hamid and First Lady Rashida Khanam at the Octagonal of the Presidential Residence.
Meanwhile, First Lady of Maldives Fazna Ahmed met with Bangladesh First Lady Rashida Kanam on the sideline of the meeting.
They exchanged views and enquired about the health of each other.
