Bangladesh has urged Maldives to increase recruitment of qualified professionals including doctors, engineers, nurses and teachers from the country.

Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul made the call during a meeting with Maldives Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Skill Development Dr Ali Haider Ahmed on Monday. Meeting took place on the sidelines of Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dr Asif Nazrul called for regularizing all irregular and undocumented Bangladeshi workers currently living in Maldives. He appreciated the educational loan facility provided to Maldivian students for studying abroad.

MoEWOE adviser invited more Maldivian students to pursue higher education in Bangladesh, particularly in medicine, engineering, agriculture and other specialized subjects. He also called for initiatives to attract Bangladeshi tourists to visit Maldives.

Dr Ali Haider expressed interest in recruiting more skilled workers and professionals from Bangladesh. Maldives minister proposed that renowned Bangladeshi universities organize an education fair in Maldives to showcase academic opportunities.

Discussion focused on recruitment of professional workers in Maldives labour market, according to a message received today. Meeting also addressed bilateral cooperation in education and tourism sectors.

Dr Abdullah Nazir, State Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Skill Development of Maldives, and Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, were present at the meeting.