Bangladesh, Maldives discuss direct shipping link

Bangladesh and the Maldives on Sunday discussed establishing a direct shipping link between the two countries to boost bilateral trade and connectivity as part of efforts to deepen their long-standing friendly relations.

The issue was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and his Maldivian counterpart Iruthisham Adam in Malé, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

During the meeting, the two ministers explored ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-Maldives relations through enhanced cooperation in migration and expatriate welfare, tourism, education, health, blue economy and maritime connectivity.

They exchanged views on the proposed direct shipping link, which is expected to facilitate bilateral trade and improve connectivity between the two South Asian nations.

The two sides also discussed possible high-level visits as part of efforts to boost bilateral engagement.

Khalilur reaffirmed the government's "Bangladesh First" foreign policy and underscored the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties between the two friendly countries.

Maldives' State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Fahmy Hassan and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Md Nazmul Islam were also present at the meeting.