His excellency, Sheikh Hasina, arrived in the Maldives 22nd December, Wednesday afternoon on a state visit at the invitation of His Excellency, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The Prime Minister and her delegation arrived at Velana International Airport, where they were received by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Their Excellencies, Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, held official talks between the governments of the Republic of the Maldives and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh this morning. Senior delegates from both countries joined the talks at the President’s Office.
President Solih emphasized the importance of health sector development and stated that the Maldives has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the healthcare sector, focusing on three main areas: training and specialization of medical and nursing students. 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.
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.
Their Excellencies, Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, delivered a joint press statement at the President’s Office, as part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing state visit to the Maldives. She further announced the Bangladeshi government’s decision to facilitate visas on arrival for Maldivian nationals in the context of the improved situation in the current pandemic and issuing long-term student visa facilitation for Maldivian students in Bangladesh.
Speaking further, President Solih acknowledged Bangladesh’s significant contribution to the Maldives in the areas of health, higher education, human resource development, and defense. He went on to note the donation of military vehicles today, collaboration on the health front, and increased opportunities for higher education, vocational training, and skills development for Maldivian students in Bangladesh. He said they would contribute to furthering Maldives-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation.
The agreements include Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, MoU in the areas of Healthcare and Medical Sciences between Bangladesh and Maldives (renewal) and MoU between Bangladesh and Maldives on Cooperation in the Area of Youth and Sports Development.
President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed their commitment to work together at the United Nations and other multilateral fora and expressed their readiness to advance constructive engagement in all spheres.
