Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih held bilateral talks on 23 December 2021 at the President’s Office in Malé, Maldives. They discussed matters of mutual interest and witnessed the signing of four instruments on health, education, dual taxation, transfer of prisoners, youth and sports. Their meeting emphasized the importance of signing a Preferential Trade Agreement, and remarked on developments in air connectivity between the two countries.

Prime Minister Hasina’s official visit to Maldives on 22-27 December 2021 is her first bilateral visit to the country. She remarked that 2021 is a landmark year for Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations.

Outcomes of the meeting include:

• Emphasis on the importance of signing (i) a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries and (ii) a bilateral investment protection arrangement for mutual facilitation of investment. These would enable both countries to fully tap the potential of bilateral trade and investment.
• Agreement to strengthen bilateral cooperation in several areas including health, human resources development, fisheries, and agriculture, as well as work together to face challenges in the subregion including climate change.
• Noted enhancement of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Maldives, and review of the possibility of establishing a direct shipping line. On air connectivity, flights were commenced by Bangladeshi airlines US Bangla. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Bangladesh’s national airline, is also considering introducing flights between Dhaka and Malé. These could promote people-to-people connectivity and tourism cooperation.
• Bangladesh accepted Maldives’ proposal to recruit Bangladeshi health professionals.
• Bangladesh offered to supply many quality products to Maldives at competitive prices.

Prime Minister Hasina underscored that Bangladesh looks forward to partnering with the Maldives in areas of common interest for their mutual benefit. Bangladesh aims to transform into a modern, prosperous and developed economy by 2041.

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