Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday laid emphasis on fully tapping the potentials of bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and the Maldives. “Despite opportunities, we couldn’t yet fully tap the potentials of bilateral trade and investment,” she said while delivering her joint press statement at the Presidential Office here. Sheikh Hasina said with its growing manufacturing capacity, Bangladesh would be able to supply many quality products to the Maldives at competitive prices. Read: Hasina-Solih talks in progress Hasina also reemphasized the necessity of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries and a bilateral investment protection arrangement for mutual facilitation of investment. The Prime Minister mentioned that she had a detailed discussion with Maldivian President Solih on promoting bilateral trade, investment, and connectivity. It is Hasina’s first-ever bilateral visit to the Maldives, though she had come here earlier for the SAARC Summit. Hasina termed 2021 as a landmark year for Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations. “We had the honour of commencing our celebrations of the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of our Independence in March this year with the presence of President Solih in Bangladesh,” she said. The PM said the Vice President of the Maldives visited Bangladesh in November, followed by bilateral consultations between the two countries. “Earlier in February, we also had the opportunity to welcome your Foreign Minister in Dhaka, and now I am here,” she said. She expressed her satisfaction over the meeting with the Maldivian President terming it a very fruitful discussion on the entire spectrum of our bilateral relations. “We reviewed the progress made so far on our earlier decisions and found the outcome satisfactory. Following the official talks, we witnessed the signing of some bilateral instruments. We also witnessed handing over 13 Military Vehicles by our Government to the Maldives government as a goodwill gesture,” Hasina said.

Bangladesh and the Maldives on Saturday held the first-ever bilateral consultations reaffirming their commitment to work together in regional and multilateral fora, especially on issues of climate change and regional security. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the delegation at the bilateral consultations held in Male’ between Bangladesh and the Maldives. Foreign Secretary of the Maldives Abdul Ghafoor led the Maldives delegation. The Maldivian sides sought support from Bangladesh for the recruitment of skilled human resources, including specialized doctors and nurses. They also sought support from Bangladesh for specialized courses in higher education, especially the medical one. Read: Hasina for strengthening connectivity with Maldives Both the Foreign Secretaries noted the excellent relations that exist between the two countries and reaffirmed to further strengthen that in the days to come.

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday stressed the need for establishing direct air and water connectivity between Maldives and Bangladesh to further enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries. 

Bangladesh and the Maldives on Thursday agreed to enter into a preferential trade agreement (PTA), aiming to enhance trade and commerce between the two countries.

Dhaka and the Male on Thursday signed four instruments to enhance cooperation in different sectors, including fisheries and cultural affairs.

Bangladesh and the Maldives began bilateral talks at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Thursday.

Bangladesh has urged Maldives to sign Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) between the two countries to strengthen the relations on trade and investment fronts. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said sea cruise services can be introduced between Bangladesh and the Maldives during the winter season.