The Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, on Thursday evening concluded the official programme of her visit to the Maldives. The Prime Minister arrived in the Maldives on Wednesday afternoon on a state visit at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. She was received at Velana International Airport on Wednesday afternoon by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier on Thursday, the Maldives government hosted an official welcoming ceremony for the visiting Prime Minister at Republic Square. She was received at the Presidential Jetty in Malé by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Following the welcoming courtesies, the Prime Minister was escorted to the President's Office, where she met with President Solih for talks. After official talks between the two countries, the two leaders presided over a ceremony that saw the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
The agreements are as follows: a Memorandum of Understanding on the Recruitment of Qualified Health Professionals; a Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding in the Areas of Healthcare and Medical Sciences; a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Areas of Youth and Sports Development; and an Agreement to Eliminate Double Taxation on Income Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.
A symbolic handover of keys to military vehicles donated by Bangladesh to the Maldives also took place at the ceremony between the Maldives’ Chief of Defence Force, Major General Abdulla Shamaal, and General S. M. Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh.
Following the exchange of MOUs, the President and Prime Minister delivered a joint press statement. Both leaders noted that their respective countries enjoy a traditionally and historically close relationship and that, as close neighbors, both countries share common attributes through values, faith, and traditions.
On Thursday afternoon, Vice President Faisal Naseem paid a courtesy call on the visiting Prime Minister at the Hotel Jen. Later that evening, President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed hosted a state banquet in honour of the Prime Minister, which saw the conclusion of the official programme of her state visit. The Prime Minister would, however, conclude her visit to the Maldives on December 27, 2021.