PM: Be a part of our development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called upon both the public and private sectors of the Maldives to be partners in Bangladesh’s development journey in the next 50 for mutual benefits.

“I call upon both the government and private sectors of the Maldives to be our partners in the development journey in the next fifty years for mutual benefits,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina made the call while speaking at the People’s Majlis, Maldives (the Maldivian Parliament) with its Speaker Mohamed Nasheed in the chair.

She hoped that the warm and friendly relations between the two countries will further be consolidated as Bangladesh is thriving on possibilities and potentials. “We believe no country in the world can prosper in isolation.”

Hasina mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic taught that all are interdependent and have to share their experiences for the sake of a better, secure, and prosperous world.

“We reiterate our principled position of collaboration with our fraternal neighbours in South Asia, as had been enunciated by our Father of the Nation,” she said adding, “We’re particularly encouraged to witness your development journey, your successful transition from LDC to a middle-Income country, and we hope Bangladesh and the Maldives would tap the complementarities.”

The Prime Minister described 2021 as a landmark year for Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations with the exchange of high-level visits, fruitful bilateral discussions among relevant authorities, and goodwill exchange of collaboration on many areas of bilateral interests.

“We firmly believe we would further consolidate our bilateral relations through further expansion of trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people contacts,” she hoped.

The Maldivian Speaker presented Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a boat painting.

Dhaka, Male seek cooperation in fisheries, agriculture

The two countries agreed to exchange knowledge in the areas of fisheries and agriculture alongside the exchange of agreements for cooperation in health and sports sectors and avoidance of double taxation.

“Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) and I (Mohamed Solih) also agreed to exchange knowledge and assistance in the areas of fisheries and agriculture,” said President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a joint press statement after bilateral talks between the two sides at his office.

He said they also discussed ways to expand economic and trade cooperation, increased connectivity and tourism between Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Maldives seeks on-arrival visa facility

“I also requested Bangladesh to consider reinstating visa on arrival for Maldivians travelling to Bangladesh, as well as long-term student visa for Maldivian students in Bangladesh, based on the close and friendly relations between our two countries,” said President Solih.

He said the Maldives and Bangladesh enjoy a traditionally and historically close relationship. “As close neighbours in the region, we share much in common through our values, faith and traditions. “My government is committed to advancing our relationship even further.”

Rohingya issue

President Solih conveyed the Maldives’ commitment to seek justice for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya people. “We applaud the Bangladesh government and people for their generosity and humanitarianism in providing safety and shelter to the displaced Rohingya community living in Bangladesh,” he said.

Through SAARC and other platforms, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, both leaders agreed that terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalization must be addressed to achieve regional security, prosperity, stability and peace.

Dhaka, Male sign 2 MoUs, 1 agreement to deepen ties

Earlier in the day, the two countries signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas between the two countries.

The MoUs are on recruitment of qualified professionals between the two countries and another on cooperation in the area of Youths and Sports Development.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Akhter Hossain signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh side.

Besides, an agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was also signed during the programme.

Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem signed the deal on behalf of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih witnessed the signing ceremony.

Bangladesh gifted 13 military vehicles to the Maldives as a token of friendship between the two south Asian nations during the ceremony.