Dhaka: The Maldives on Thursday expressed interest in helping Bangladesh develop and modernise its local fisheries industry.

Maldivian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dr Mohamed Asim said this when he made a courtesy call on Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque at the Secretariat.

Dr Asim apprised the minister about the progress the Maldives have made recently in their fisheries industry and proposed a joint venture to delve into deep sea fishing and signing an MoU in this regard.

Minister Sayedul appreciated the idea and requested the Maldivian envoy to send a draft MoU, after which they can proceed.

They also talked about the possibilities constructing a ‘processed fish plant’ in the near future.

The meeting was also attended by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Maksudul Hasan Khan, deputy head and second secretary of the Maldivian High Commission in Bangladesh Mohamed Thahseen, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Syed Arif Azad.