Their Excellencies, Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, held official talks between the governments of the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. They were joined at the talks held at the President’s Office on Thursday morning by senior delegates from both countries.
During the deliberations, President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shed light on the close existing bilateral relationship between the two nations, which dates back several decades. The leaders engaged in dialogue on improving existing ties in numerous sectors where the Maldives and Bangladesh share mutual arrangements.
On boosting bilateral, regional, and international cooperation in mutual areas of interest, the President and the Prime Minister conversed on a wide array of topics, including combatting the Covid-19 pandemic, human resources development and higher education, increased air connectivity, and visa facilitation. They also discussed cooperation in the fields of healthcare, the economy and trade, fisheries and agriculture, the environment and climate change and counter-terrorism.
President Solih emphasized the importance of health sector development and stated that the Maldives has embarked on an ambitious programme to improve the healthcare sector, focusing on three main areas: training and specialisation of medical and nursing students; recruitment of expatriate doctors and specialists for both the short- and long-term; and acquiring of medicine and pharmaceutical supplies.
He also expressed his ambition to strengthen cooperation in higher education for both undergraduate and postgraduate students at medical institutions in Bangladesh through fellowships and scholarships and to increase the number of internship opportunities. He went on to indicate that the Maldives is eager to explore higher education prospects in other fields, such as engineering and vocational studies.
While discussing cooperation in the fields of economy and commerce, both leaders noted the agreement exchanged today on the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Income Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance, stressing that it would greatly enhance cooperation. They further discussed regularisation of migrant workers in the Maldives.
President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went on to discuss re-establishing on-arrival visas for Maldivians travelling to Bangladesh and long-term student visa facilitation. On this note, the Prime Minister stated that an amicable solution would be reached after assessing the Covid-19 situation.
Concluding the official talks, the President and the Prime Minister reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering the fraternal bonds of friendship between the two countries.
