Local

President declares 3rd October as National Tourism Day

Published

3 years ago

03/10/2021

MNN

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared 3rd October as National Tourism Day. He announced the decision tonight while delivering his remarks at the ceremony held at Kurumba Maldives Resort to launch the official one-year countdown to the 50th anniversary of the Maldives Tourism Industry.

As the Maldives is on track to mark its 50th anniversary since the introduction of tourism in the country, President Solih revealed that the government had decided to dedicate a day for the occasion as the Maldives does not mark a specific day to celebrate the achievements of the tourism sector. In previous years, such celebrations were held coinciding with International Tourism Day. He further clarified that National Tourism Day is attributed to the opening of the Maldives’ first resort, Kurumba Village, at Vihamanaafushi island near Malé on 3rd October 1972.

President Solih commended the efforts of tourism industry workers and emphasised their contributions to the advancement of the industry. The President said that the government envisions the expansion of tourism across the nation. Noting that peripheral developmental efforts are required for this to become a reality, he detailed that transport links to the islands, access to safe drinking water, proper sewerage networks and telecommunication services must be established across the nation to expand tourism.

On this note, the President stated that the administration had already made great progress in the efforts to prioritise the development of such services. He reiterated that the administration strives to establish water and sewerage networks in all inhabited islands by the end of 2023. Adding that work to establish the ‘Integrated National Public Ferry Network’, a high-speed ferry network connecting the islands is underway, the President similarly underlined the efforts to provide easy access to internet services across the nation. He also stated that local tourism ventures such as guesthouses and homestays would become convenient with the development of these services.

Delineating the government’s vision for a more prosperous future for the tourism sector, President Solih said that future generations would benefit from the implementation of sound environmental policies that ensure sustainability and focus on climate change. He underscored the importance of staying on track with the ‘National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan’, which encompasses the phase-out of Single-Use Plastics and the Maldives’ ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Highlighting the contributions of tourism industry workers, President Solih reiterated that increased participation from women and youth is crucial to the advancement of the industry.

A song for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Maldives Tourism Industry was revealed at the ceremony and the President was presented with the lyrics of the song. The ceremony was attended by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, tourism sector representatives, long-serving members of the sector and industry leaders.

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

1 year ago

17/05/2023

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

Published

1 year ago

17/05/2023

Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

Published

1 year ago

15/01/2023

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.