By Mir Afroz Zaman
Dhaka, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in Maldives for her six-day visit, has reiterated the necessity of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries and a bilateral investment protection arrangement for mutual facilitation of investment.
Bangladesh PM and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have signed three agreements in various sectors including health and education, in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations.
The agreements include Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, MoU in the areas of Healthcare and Medical Sciences between Bangladesh and Maldives (renewal) and MoU between Bangladesh and Maldives on Cooperation in the Area of youth and Sports Development.
Bangladesh has handed over 13 military vehicles to the Maldives government following a bilateral dialogue at the President's Office.
The Prime Minister said: "A bilateral agreement has been reached to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in health, education, human resources development, youth and sports, fisheries, and agriculture between the two countries and work together to face the challenge of climate change and early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar."
Sheikh Hasina said during the talks with President Solih she had re-emphasised the necessity of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries and a bilateral investment protection arrangement for mutual facilitation of investment.
“Despite opportunities, we could not yet fully tap the potentials of bilateral trade and investment," she pointed out.
About the outcome of the talks, she said, “I am happy to share that we had a fruitful discussion on the entire spectrum of our bilateral relations. We reviewed the progress made so far on our earlier decisions and found the outcome satisfactory.”