Bangladesh and Maldives have agreed to join global efforts to mitigate impact of climate change.
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam stated Monday that Bangladesh being one of the worst affected countries by climate change shared its concerns with Maldives and joined hand with global communities in efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts.
The state minister who is at Male, capital of Maldives had an audience with Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Monday on the sidelines of the event of the celebration of "50th Independence Day of the Maldives".
On the sidelines of the event, Shahriar Alam held bilateral meetings with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumo at the Maldivian Foreign Ministry.
The State Minister thanked the government of Maldives for its decision to re-open their Mission in Dhaka.
Dwelling on the huge opportunities created in Bangladesh in blue economy sector, particularly after delimitation of the maritime boundaries, the State Minister urged the Maldivian government as well as private entrepreneurs to use their expertise and invest in this sector in Bangladesh, especially in the deep sea fishing.
The State Minister informed that Bangladesh got a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled workforce in different trades which could meet requirements of Maldives in various sectors.
During the meeting, Maldivian Foreign Minister applauded the contribution made by the Bangladeshi workforce (around 80 thousand) in the economic development of Maldives.
Shahriar Alam expressed satisfaction over the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries in Healthcare and Medical Sciences sectors which would facilitate employment of Bangladeshi medical professionals of different categories in Maldives and placement of the Maldivian students in the Bangladeshi medical and dental colleges.
In this regard he mentioned that Bangladesh could provide Maldives with high quality and international standard products such as readymade garments, medicine, jute and leather goods, plastic items, ceramic items etc. at competitive prices. He stressed on opening direct shipping link between Bangladesh and Maldives and also removal of some trade barriers by the Maldivian government.