Maldives High Commissioner Shiuneen Rasheed met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, April 1, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed 
Islam today urged the Maldives to recruit more skilled and semi-skilled 
workers from Bangladesh to strengthen labour cooperation between the two 
countries.

The request was made during a meeting with Maldives High Commissioner 
Shiuneen Rasheed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said a ministry's press 
released here. 

The State Minister welcomed the resumption of direct Mal‚-Dhaka flights by 
Maldives' national carrier 'Maldivian' from March 12, noting its importance 
for connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

The State Minister thanked the Maldives for its continued support on the 
Rohingya issue and reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to revitalising 
regional cooperation under SAARC.

Both sides emphasised the need to deepen cooperation in trade, health, 
education, connectivity and labour mobility, highlighting the untapped 
potential in bilateral relations.

The Maldivian envoy praised the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to her 
country's socio-economic development and expressed interest in recruiting 
healthcare professionals from Bangladesh.

The High Commissioner congratulated the State Minister on her assumption of 
office, while the latter appreciated the Maldives' participation in recent 
high-level events in Bangladesh.