Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen has paid a courtesy call on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday (13).

At the meeting held at the President’s Office, the Maldivian President underlined that peace in Sri Lanka was also in the best interest of the Maldives. He noted that the Maldives wanted to increase engagements with Sri Lanka on including trade and investment.

Industry Minister Bathiudeen expressed the Sri Lankan government’s gratitude for the Maldivian government’s continued support for the Maldives.

In addition, the President and the Minister discussed avenues to promote trade collaboration between both countries, especially exploring ways to increase cooperation in fisheries, reported the President's office of Maldives.