DHAKA, Nov 24, 2021 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis 
on the necessity for strengthening connectivity between Bangladesh and 
Maldives to further boost trade and commerce between the two friendly 
countries.

"If the connectivity is strengthened, the bilateral trade and commerce would 
be developed further between the two countries," she said at a meeting with 
visiting Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem at her official residence 
Ganabhaban. 

   Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the 
meeting.  

   Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh can extend technical support to the Maldives 
on human resources development and healthcare.  

"We can share our health sector experiences with the Maldives as Bangladesh 
has set up community clinics to ensure primary healthcare services. So, 
Bangladesh can help the Maldives in this regard," she said.  

Sheikh Hasina also offered the Maldives to use the services of Bangladesh's 
Bangabandhu-I satellite.  

The Prime Minister informed the Maldivian Vice-President that she often 
highlights the Maldives as a climate-vulnerable country in different 
international forums.  

Sheikh Hasina also expressed solidarity with the people of the Maldives.  

The Maldivian Vice President said whenever his country fell in crisis, 
Bangladesh supported it.  

Faisal Naseem said that he paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu 
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.  "What he saw 
was a very heart-touching matter," said PM's press secretary.   

He conveyed Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's profound respect and 
best wishes to the Bangladesh Prime Minister on the golden jubilee of the 
country's independence and the birth centenary of its Father of the Nation 
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  

Mentioning that a good number of Maldivian students are pursuing study 
particularly on medical courses in Bangladesh, he sought cooperation from 
Bangladesh for the students.   

The visiting Vice President described his visit as a very successful one.   

Maldives Health Minister Ahmed Naseem, it's Higher Education Minister Dr 
Ibrahim Hassan, High Commission to Bangladesh Shiruzimath Sameer and 
Bangladesh Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, among 
others, were present.

  The Male Vice-President held meetings with Health Minister Zahid Maleque 
and Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni. During those meetings, he focused on 
cooperation between the two countries in the health and education sectors.   
"The outcomes of the meetings are very positive," said Faisal Nassem.