PM in Maldives on six-day visit

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina reached Male on Wednesday afternoon on a six-day official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, reports UNB.

A special VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Sheikh Hasina and her entourage, which had departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 12:00 pm (local time), reached Male at 3:00 pm (local time).

On her arrival at the airport in Male, the Prime Minister was received by Maldivian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Foreign Secretary of Maldives Shiruzimath Sameer, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Maldives Rear Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Maldivian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Munu Mahawar, said PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being welcomed by a kid upon her arrival at the Velana International Airport in Male on Wednesday. Maldivian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel was present — Focus Bangla

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four instruments, including two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on health, education, transfer of prisoners, and on avoidance of dual taxation, are likely to be signed during the visit.

The four proposed instruments are - agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, agreement on the transfer of prisoners, MoU in the areas of healthcare and medical sciences between Bangladesh and the Maldives (renewal), and MoU between Bangladesh and the Maldives on cooperation in the area of youth and sports development.

Besides, an MoU on recruitment of qualified health professionals between Bangladesh and the Maldives will be renewed.

During the visit, Bangladesh will gift 13 military vehicles to the Maldives as a token of friendship between the two south Asian nations, according to the foreign ministry.

On December 23, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be formally received by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the Presidential Palace. She will be given guard of honor there.

The PM will have a bilateral meeting with the Maldivian President to discuss various issues.

After the meeting, the officials concerned of the two countries will sign the instruments in presence of the Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Maldivian President.