Maldives to allow duty-free Bangladesh export products

Dhaka (UNI): Maldives has decided to allow duty-free access of all Bangladesh export products including medicines from the end of the current year and improve trade and investment between the two countries.

Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem conveyed his Government decision during bilateral talks with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni here this afternoon.

The two Foreign Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to resolve various problems facing the Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the island state, including minimum wages and remitting money to Bangladesh.

Presently, the Maldives authorities registered 12,000 out of 17,000 Bangladeshi workers and its Labour Ministry is working on documenting the remaining workers.

Naseem told a joint press conference that his country would recruit skilled workforce from Bangladesh including doctors and nurses.

Bangladesh is currently working to send 50 specialist doctors to Maldives.

He said both sides agreed to expand cooperation in education, tourism and trade sectors. Present volume of bilateral trade is minimal at zero point USD seven million.

On environment, the Minister said both Bangladesh and Maldives are most vulnerable to the climate change and sought additional international funding to enhance their capability to the adaptation.

On UN Security Council membership, Ms Moni said both the sides agreed to support each other to become non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Naseem also informed her about the preparation of the SAARC summit to be held in Male in November.