President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called for expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the Maldives in trade, investment, employment, tourism, fisheries, and fisheries resource management to further strengthen the existing friendly relations.

The President said, "Bangladesh and the Maldives has longstanding friendly relations and there are huge opportunities to further advance ties between the two countries based on mutual trust, goodwill and shared interests."

He made the call when Maldives High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning, President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam told a local media.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner conveyed a congratulatory message and greetings to the President from Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The President thanked her for the message and conveyed his greetings to the Maldives' President.

As the High Commissioner informed Mirza Fakhrul Islam about plans to organise a business summit in Dhaka, the President welcomed the initiative.

" The initiative will increase engagement between business people and investors from the two countries and further expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation," the President said.

Referring to the contributions of more than one lakh Bangladeshis working in the Maldivian economy, the President said, "Cooperation can be further strengthened in sectors, including manpower, tourism, fisheries and fisheries resource management, for the mutual benefit of both countries."

The President also reiterated to continue existing facilities and opportunities for the maldivian students to study medicine in Bangladesh.

On regional cooperation, the President said, " Bangladesh is interested in making regional cooperation more effective and stronger by revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)."

He stressed the importance of the Maldives’ cooperation and positive role in achieving this goal.

During the meeting, both sides expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between the two country would be further strengthened in the future.

The President’s Military Secretary, Press Secretary, and a Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.