The Maldives is keen to promote trade and business with Bangladesh by establishing direct air and sea routes, President Mohamed Nasheed has told Dhaka's new envoy.

Nasheed also hoped that an imminent Male-Dhaka MoU (memorandum of understanding) would help enhance trade and private sector investments between the two countries.

During a meeting with Bangladesh's High Commissioner ASMA Awal after receiving the credentials at the Office of the President on Wednesday, the president assured the new envoy of taking measures to ensure air and sea connectivity, as lack of such connectivity is considered a major obstacle to trade promotion, according to a press statement from the foreign ministry.

Awal said Bangladesh will extend all possible assistance to the Maldives to hold the next Saarc Summit.

The credential presentation ceremony was attended by Mohamed Waheed, Maldives vice-president, Hassan Afeef, adviser for political affairs, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, foreign minister, and Ahmed Rasheed, chief of protocol.