DHAKA, 19 March, 2021 (TON): President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed a preferential trade agreement (PFA) with the PM Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina as the two countries aim to foster bilateral ties.

The development came when the two leaders met on Thursday.

Later, Dhaka and Malé signed four memoranda of understanding, including an effort to form a joint commission for comprehensive cooperation to boost bilateral ties between the countries.

The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of the relations and agreed to expand mutual cooperation in multiple prospective areas, and agreed to regularly hold Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) to address bilateral trade issues in detail.

Further, the two leaders decided to establish a direct commercial shipping link between Malé and the three sea ports of Bangladesh through a shipping agreement.

Hasina called upon Maldives to import varieties of world-class products from Bangladesh.

Solih praised Hasina’s visionary leadership and phenomenal success in setting Bangladesh on the path to becoming a developed country by 2041 and also Bangladesh’s efforts in helping to develop Maldives economy