Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the request when he met visiting Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday at a city hotel. 

Dr Momen laid emphasis on introducing direct shipping line between Chattogram and the capital of Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago 700-km away from mainland Asia. 

The Maldivian President is currently in Bangladesh on a two-day state visit.

During the call, President Solih congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the centenary of the birth of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the country’s golden jubilee of independence, celebrated this year.

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President Solih also expressed his gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for the continued support extended to the Maldives in various areas, including the most recent assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

He said that Covid-19 is the most pressing problem for all of us at this time and noted that the Bangladeshi government’s decision to provide the Maldives with generous grant aid as well as two deployments of the Bangladeshi Air Force’s medical teams had played a prominent role in managing the Covid-19 situation in the Maldives more effectively.

The President and the Foreign Minister spoke at length on the great value accorded by both countries to bolstering the existing mutual relationship between both countries.

Discussions at the meeting focused on fostering bilateral ties and developmental corporation, especially in commerce, human resource development, international cooperation, and mutual areas of interest.

Also read: Bangabandhu to remain source of inspiration for future generations: President Solih

Dr Momen said it was their pleasure to assist the Maldives in managing the Covid-19 situation. 

He also acknowledged and commended the Maldivian government's positive efforts in regularising and repatriating Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives. 

Dr Momen noted that President Solih was the first state dignitary to have visited the country during such trying times and displayed the confidence President Solih has in Bangladesh.

President Solih said his government would ensure the welfare and wellbeing of Bangladeshi citizens residing in the Maldives.

Also read: Bangladesh with Maldives in fighting climate change: PM

He reiterated his commitment to vaccinate all eligible individuals, including all migrant workers in the Maldives, free of charge, as soon as possible. 

The President and the Foreign Minister concluded the call with the hope of further developing the existing relations between both countries.