Maldives seeks bigger Bangladesh market for tuna, fisheries products
DHAKA, Oct 7: The Maldives is seeking to expand exports of tuna and other fisheries products to Bangladesh while deepening cooperation with Dhaka in tourism, trade and sustainable fisheries, Maldives High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed has said.
Rasheed made the remarks at “The Great Tuna Gala – Flavours from the Sunny Side”, hosted by the Maldives High Commission in Dhaka at a city hotel on Tuesday night.
The push to increase Maldivian fisheries exports comes as the two countries look to broaden economic engagement beyond traditional areas and make greater use of growing connectivity between Bangladesh and the Maldives.
Highlighting the central role of fisheries in the Maldivian economy and island communities, Rasheed said her country was interested in creating greater awareness of its fisheries products in Bangladesh and exploring opportunities for market access and business-to-business partnerships.
She particularly highlighted the Maldives’ traditional pole-and-line tuna fishing method, in which tuna are caught individually, describing it as an example of the country’s longstanding commitment to responsible and sustainable use of marine resources.
For Bangladesh, increased access to Maldivian tuna and other fisheries products could open another avenue for bilateral trade, while stronger business links could complement growing people-to-people and tourism ties between the two countries.
The Maldives is also seeking to attract more Bangladeshi tourists by promoting its island destinations, marine environment, hospitality and cultural heritage.
“Growing connectivity” between the two countries provides an opportunity to expand tourism, trade and wider business engagement, Rasheed said.
About 250 guests, including senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, representatives from the tourism and fisheries sectors and media professionals, attended the gala.
Tuna, the mainstay of the Maldivian fisheries sector, was at the centre of the event, which combined the promotion of fisheries products with an effort to showcase Maldivian culture and tourism.
Renowned Maldivian chef Maha Naseer, who travelled to Dhaka for the event, conducted a live culinary demonstration featuring traditional Maldivian dishes and highlighting the versatility of tuna and other seafood.
The presentation also offered Bangladeshi guests an insight into the links between fisheries, food traditions and the livelihoods of island communities in the Maldives.
The High Commission said the gala was aimed at increasing awareness of Maldivian fisheries products among Bangladeshi consumers and businesses, identifying opportunities to expand market access and encouraging business-to-business cooperation.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of broader efforts to strengthen Bangladesh-Maldives economic and people-to-people relations, with fisheries, tourism and trade emerging as areas where both sides see scope for deeper cooperation.
For Dhaka, stronger engagement with the Maldives could provide opportunities not only for greater seafood trade but also for expanding tourism flows, business partnerships and cooperation in sustainable management of marine resources.
The Maldives, meanwhile, sees Bangladesh as a potentially important market for its fisheries products as well as a growing source of tourists and business engagement.
