DHAKA, Nov 23, 2021 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid today said Bangladesh
and Maldives would jointly work to tackle the adverse effects of climate
change and disasters.

   The head of the state said this as visiting Maldivian Vice-President
Faisal Naseem paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this evening,
President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS.

  Welcoming the Vice President, the President said an excellent bilateral
relation exists between Bangladesh and Maldives and it is gradually expanding
in various fields, including trade and investment.

   Recalling the state visit of Maldives President on the Birth Centenary
Celebration programme of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and Bangladesh Independence's Golden Jubilee last March, he said it
contributed to advancing Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral tie to a great extent.

  Hamid hoped that the visit of the Vice President of Maldives would further
enhance the existing bilateral relations of Male with Dhaka.

   Referring to the Bangladeshi manpower's demand in the Maldives, Hamid
said, "Bangladesh is now focusing on the export of skilled manpower . . . and
for that purpose, various necessary infrastructures, including training
institutes are being built in the country".

   Mentioning the appraisable achievements of Bangladesh in tackling COVID-19
(Coronavirus), the Maldivian Vice-President said Bangladesh has achieved more
success in tackling the fatal disease than many other countries of the globe.

  He also praised the progress of Bangladesh in the fields of education,
health and women's development.

  The Vice President also emphasized the importance of developing relations
between the two countries in the fields of education, health and tourism with
Bangladesh.

  They put emphasis on further strengthening the bilateral relations between
the two South Asian nations.

   The Maldivian vice-president was accompanied by his Higher Education
Minister Dr Ibrahim Hassan, Health Minister Ahmed Naseem, Foreign Secretary
Abdul Ghafoor Mahamed, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Bangladesh
Shiruzimath Sameer.

  Meanwhile, President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin
Islam, Secretary Sampad Barua, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin, Secretary
(attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan and South Asia Wing's DG of Foreign
Ministry ATM Rokebul Haque were also present there.

  Later, the visiting vice-president signed the "Visitors' Book" at
Bangabhaban.