HULHUMALE, Maldives - Bangladesh's high commissioner to the Maldives, Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, stated on Saturday that the diplomatic relationship between the two countries is better than before.

He added that talks with the Maldivian government to regularise the unlawful Bangladeshis were underway. In the evening, he spoke to journalists at the Bangladesh High Commission office in the Hulhumale district of the Maldives.

"There are about 100,000 Bangladeshi workers. Of them, 50,000 workers are illegal."

He went on to say that they had been attempting to figure out how to improve the status of expatriates for the past two years. Many Bangladeshis have lost their jobs as a result of Covid-19.

"About 100 Bangladeshis are in jail for various crimes including drug and child abuse. The process of sending 30 of them to Bangladesh is underway."

He informed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to visit the Maldives this month.

During the premier's visit, the development of bilateral trade, the regularisation of Bangladeshi irregular expatriates, and other economic problems would be prioritized.