Momen for preferential trade agreement with Maldives
The foreign minister emphasised boosting trade between the two countries including direct shipping communication between Chattogram and Male
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to sign preferential trade agreement as well as bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement with Bangladesh.
In a meeting with the Maldivian president at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital on Wednesday, he emphasised boosting trade between the two countries, including direct shipping communication between Chattogram and the Maldivian capital Male.
The foreign minister also sought cooperation of the Maldives to launch a coastal waterway for the development of tourism industry including enhancing communication between the citizens of two countries.
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During the meeting, Momen called upon more Maldivian students to study in Bangladesh, mentioning that Bangladesh is interested in imparting skill enhancement training to the citizens of the Maldives.
He urged the Maldives to import Bangladeshi-made garments, processed food, agricultural products, halal food, jute products, medicines, household items, ships and other products from Bangladesh.
The foreign minister thanked Solih for visiting Bangladesh on the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Both Solih and Momen expressed satisfaction over the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier on Wednesday, the president of Maldives paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary, placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital.
Earlier, he visited the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar and paid homage to the heroes of the Liberation War.
In the afternoon, Solih attended a function at the National Parade Ground and addressed a gathering.
President Abdul Hamid received his Maldivian counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:20am Wednesday.
As part of his visit to Bangladesh, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will pay a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban at 7pm on Thursday.
He would sign the visitors' book there. Several Memorandums of Understanding are scheduled to be signed between the two countries.
Later, the Maldivian President will join the dinner and cultural programme hosted by the Bangladesh's head of the state at Durbar Hall Ground of Bangabhaban.
