The national airline of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, is set to commence scheduled flights to the Maldives. The decision was announced during the bilateral talks held between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina during the President’s state visit to Bangladesh.
Following the bilateral talks, a joint press conference was held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Dr. A.K Abdul Momen at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. The joint press conference was held to detail the discussions held during the bilateral talks.
In his statement during the joint press conference, Minister Shahid highlighted the historical ties between the Maldives and Bangladesh. He expressed his confidence that with the bilateral talks between President Solih and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the relationship between the two republics would thrive towards further mutual benefit. He noted the Prime Minister had announced during the bilateral talks that Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the Bangladeshi national flag carrier, will start flights to the Maldives very soon - an announcement welcomed by the President.
The minister further outlined the four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the Maldives and Bangladesh earlier in the day, representing them as stepping stones towards further bilateral ties. He stated more agreements were being discussed, notably in preferential trade and investment, customs matters and avoidance of double taxation. Minister Shahid also gave insight into the international issues of mutual concern discussed between the two republics, highlighting sustainable development, security and climate change.
Concluding his statement, the foreign minister thanked the Bangladeshi government for the hospitality provided to President Solih, First Lady Fazna Ahmed and the Maldivian delegation during this state visit. He reiterated President Solih's invitation to the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit the Maldives at their earliest convenience. He also extended the same invitation to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister.