Bangladesh-Maldives: Direct shipping, halal food to drive trade
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh and the Maldives on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, focusing on direct shipping links and collaboration in the halal food sector to boost trade, improve transport efficiency, and support sustainable supply chains.
The announcement followed a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Dr Md Nazmul Islam and Maldives Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen. Both sides discussed ways to enhance economic and transport connectivity.
They highlighted that improved transport links would lower logistics costs, expand market access, and strengthen bilateral trade.
Introducing direct shipping services was seen as a key step to cut transportation time and costs, making trade between the two countries faster and more efficient.
A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on direct shipping was a central topic. Dr Nazmul Islam briefed Minister Ameen on the progress and expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to finalise the MoU promptly, noting that direct shipping would enhance transparency and predictability in logistics, benefiting exporters, importers, and consumers in both countries.
The meeting also explored cooperation in the halal food industry.
Dr Nazmul Islam highlighted Bangladesh’s capacity to supply internationally certified halal products, including processed foods, beverages, and packaged items, and proposed joint initiatives in investment, supply chain development, and quality assurance.
Minister Ameen welcomed the direct shipping initiative, noting it would ease cargo movement, expand bilateral trade, and strengthen regional supply chains.
He also suggested using Maldivian airport and maritime infrastructure to support cargo transportation.
The Maldivian minister acknowledged Bangladesh as a key development partner and expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s past assistance in supplying potable water, reflecting strong friendship and mutual cooperation.
Dr Nazmul Islam also welcomed the resumption of flights between Bangladesh and the Maldives by Maldivian Airlines from March 2026, saying it would further enhance connectivity and people-to-people ties.