Foreign Minister emphasizes contribution of Bangladeshi citizens

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid stressed that the numerous Bangladeshi citizens employed across a spectrum of fields in Maldives made significant contributions to the country's socioeconomic development.

The minister made the statement during a pre-recorded video for the ceremony held at the Bangladesh High Commission in Maldives to commemorate the country's Victory Day.

Minister Shahid went on to provide assurances that the Maldivian government would work to ensure the safety and protection of Bangladeshi nationals residing in Maldives.

Despite noting that both countries were grappling with considerable losses due to the pandemic, Minister Shahid acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by Bangladesh to support Maldives' COVID-19 response.

In this regard, he highlighted deliveries of medicine and food products, the deployment of a team of 10 medical professionals and the repatriation of Maldivian students in Bangladesh.

Noting the close bilateral ties between the two states, the foreign minister also acknowledged the wider assistance provided by Bangladesh with regard to Maldives' health, defence and education sectors as well as efforts to further develop human resources.

During his video message, Minister Shahid extended felicitations to the Bangladeshi government, the country's citizens as well as the Bangladeshi nationals residing in Maldives on the occasion of Victory.

The minister also had sent a separate message to his Bangladeshi counterpart, AK Abdul Momen.

Since the beginning of the community-wide outbreak of COVID-19 in Maldives, the total number of Bangladeshi expatriates that have tested positive for the virus have surpassed 3270. Roughly 24 percent of all confirmed cases in the country are Bangladeshi citizens.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 outbreak in the capital has disproportionately affected the expatriate population, the majority of whom are Bangladeshi nationals living in highly congested quarters where it is impossible to reduce contact or exercise social distancing. Their often small-spaced living conditions have been described by local and international civil society organizations as, "claustrophobic", "unsanitary" and "overcrowded".