MALE, Maldives, Dec 22, 2021 (BSS) - Maldives rolled out the red carpet to 
welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she arrived here today on her maiden 
six-day bilateral visit at the invitation of the county's President Ibrahim 
Mohamed Solih.

   "A special VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Prime 
Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage members landed at the Velana 
International Airport at 3pm local time," Prime Minister's Press Secretary 
Ihsanul Karim told BSS.

  Maldivian state minister for foreign affairs received the premier while a 
static guard of honor was given to her. Later, she was escorted to the place 
of residence in a ceremonial motorcade.

   Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be formally received by Maldivian 
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tomorrow (On December 23) while a guard of 
honor and other ceremonial will be accorded to the Bangladesh's head of the 
government. 

   Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Health and Family Welfare Minister 
Zahid Maleque and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran 
Ahmad are accompanying the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

  Earlier, the special VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines took off from 
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 12.10pm today.

  During her visit, four instruments, including two Memorandum of 
Understandings (MoUs), are likely to be signed tomorrow (December 23). 

   The four proposed deeds 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 Health Care and Medical 
Sciences between Bangladesh and Maldives (renewal) and MoU between Bangladesh 
and Maldives on Cooperation in the Area of youth and Sports Development.

  Besides, the 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. 

  On the second day of her visit, the Bangladeshi premier will have a 
bilateral meeting with the Maldivian President to discuss various issues at 
the Presidential Palace.

  After the meeting, concerned officials of the two countries will sign the 
instruments in presence of the Bangladesh prime minister and the Maldivian 
president.

  A joint statement will be issued while the two leaders will jointly appear 
in front of media.

   In the visit, Maldivian Vice-President Faisal Naseem, Speaker of the 
People's Majlis, Maldivian National Parliament, Mohammed Nasheed and Chief 
Justice Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan are expected to pay courtesy call on the 
Bangladesh premier at the meeting room of Hotel Jen, Male.

  The prime minister will address the Maldives parliament on December 23 
afternoon.

  In the evening, Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to attend a state banquet to be 
hosted by the Maldivian President and the country's First Lady in her honor.

   On December 24, she will join a virtual community reception to be accorded 
by the Bangladeshi expatriates in Male.

   The premier is scheduled to return home on December 27.