Connect with us

News

China pledges USD 130M in grants to Maldives

FI

Published

on

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that China has pledged USD 130 million in grant assistance to the Maldives.

President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed returned to Maldives on Saturday, after concluding a state visit to China.

Their plane landed at the Velana International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, President Muizzu said China has pledged 130 million dollars in grant assistance to the Maldives.

He said that the bulk of it will be spent on redeveloping the roads of Male’.

“That is approximately USD 130 million in grants. This will be spent on developmental projects. The biggest spending will be on the development of the roads of Male’,” he said.

President Muizzu made the visit to China – his first state visit to a foreign country – at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the visit, the two leaders met for official talks and presided over the signing of over 20 agreements between the two countries.

This includes a USD 50 million agreement to develop an integrated tourism zone in Hulhumale’, an agreement on the construction of 30,000 social housing units in Rasmale’, and an agreement to provide grant assistance for the development of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Vilimale’.

The two countries also signed an agreement to allow Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, to conduct domestic flight operations in China.

The Maldivian first couple had several engagements and visited various establishments, fostering greater cultural, economic, and political relations with China.

In one of his most prominent engagements, President Muizzu attended the Invest Maldives Forum.

While speaking at the forum, he laid out his government’s vision for developing the Maldives, which he said was one of engagement, partnership building, and focused delivery.

He also emphasized the importance of his visit to China, as it is his first state visit to a foreign nation, stating that China remains one of the Maldives’s closest allies and developmental partners.

The first couple also took time off their schedule to meet and engage with the Maldivian community residing in Beijing.

They were accompanied on the visit by a high-level delegation of Maldivian government officials, including Cabinet ministers.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Fushidhiggaru project ongoing, will finish on time: Government

FI

Published

on

By

The Maldives government on Sunday assured Fushidhiggaru reclamation project, a key initiative under the vision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has not stalled and would be completed on the scheduled date.

President’s Office Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed confirmed this on Sunday at a press conference, while providing details on other government initiatives.

The state has responded about the large-scale development project amid speculation in social media and by political opponents, claiming the initiative has stalled.

In response, Heena highlighted that the sand dredging in the project is currently on pause, stressing this was not indicative of the entire project being halted.

“I would like to ask, if they gauge the ongoing status of a capacity based on whether sand dredging is ongoing or not. Although sand dredging has stopped, there would be several other associated components of the project that requires attention and execution,” Heena commented.

She further said the project requires administrative and other work, all of which, she added, were ongoing.

“In response, I would like to reply that the Fushidhiggaru project has not stalled, it is ongoing. The project would conclude as per the scheduled date announced by the President,” she said.

Under the large-scale development project, 1,153 hectares of land will be reclaimed, which is thrice the combined size of Hulhumale’ Phase I and II.

The iniatiative commenced officially on December 18, 2023 while the Maldives President assured the reclamation component will conclude within eight months from the date of commencement.

Source(s): sun.mv

Continue Reading

News

Efforts underway to submit new laws to Parliament

FI

Published

on

By

Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office Heena Waleed has stated that efforts are underway to complete the administrative preparations for introducing new laws and amendments to the Parliament, with the government achieving a super majority in the parliamentary elections.

Heena stated there are several crucial laws to be presented to Parliament under the government’s week-14 legislative agenda. As such, laws relating to housing, the criminal justice system, social security are to be submitted. On this stance, Heena affirmed that the laws and amendments which have been stalled in the committee phase will be given a top priority to be implemented by the end of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

Furthermore, Heena revealed that over 200 laws are to be implemented, aiming to fulfill President Dr. Muizzu’s commitment outlined in the government’s manifesto. She assured that the elected Parliament will play a significant role as their views align with that of the president.

Observing that the government attained a super majority during the parliamentary elcetions was due to the unwavering trust in President Dr. Muizzu, Heena affirmed that this advantage will not be exploited. She guaranteed that the super majority will assist the government in implementing and enforcing policies that will benefit the public as per the respective policies.

Source(s): PsmNews

Continue Reading

News

Islamic Minister discusses expanding Zakat House

FI

Published

on

By

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has met with the Director General of Zakat House Director Dr. Majid Sulaiman Al-Azimi to discuss upgrading the Maldives Zakat House.

The minister confirmed this via X (formerly Twitter), highligting that the two discussed about expanding the services of the Zakat House, including staff and Sharia Board training, and the legal requirements of Zakat recipients.

Earlier, the minister announced the administration’s plan to introduce a financial aid system to extend aid to orphans permanently. Dr. Shaheem said orphans will receive financial support annually until adulthood.

However, the minister did not specify how much the government intended to provide as financial support each year.

The current administration established the Maldives Zakat House with the objectives of increasing public awareness on the importance of paying Zakat, and foster love among the public towards the Islamic sacred act.

Under the Zakat Fund, government provided financial support to 52 individuals earlier in March 2024.

Statistics recently provided by the Zakat House showed the fund had been disbursed mainly in four areas, which are;

For Cancer Treatment – MVR 190,822.50
Brain Surgery – MVR 180,407.19
Heart Surgery – MVR 8,482.00
Transplants – MVR 25,443.00

Additionally, another MVR 227,872.50 was disbursed for various other areas.

Source(s): sun.mv

Continue Reading

Trending