News

Maldives to expand Aasandha services to UAE, Thailand

Published

4 months ago

13/01/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to expand the state health insurance provider, Aasandha’s services to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand.

In a press statement upon return to the Maldives on Saturday, after concluding a state visit to China, President Muizzu promised to expand Aasandha services to countries that offer better quality medical care services, including the UAE and Thailand.

“In the future, Aasandha will not be restricted to medical facilities in specific countries in a specific region, but will be expanded to countries that offer better services such as UAE and Thailand,” he said.

He said that he is working to provide Aasandha coverage for accommodation as well.

“The health facilities in this country will be developed to better standards than the countries [Maldivian people] currently travel to. The hospitals will be in par with those in Dubai or Bangkok,” he said.

President Muizzu said his administration is also working on reducing Maldives’ dependency on a single country for essential commodities such as rice, sugar and flour, and to have essential commodities brought in from other countries as well.

He said that Maldives has reached an agreement with Turkey, and has placed the order for the first shipment.

“We haven’t just arranged for the supply. In a first, this Ramadan, the government will donate a 10 kg rice bag and a 10 kg flour bag to each and every household,” he said.

President Muizzu said he hopes to increase the quantity next year.

“In Sha Allah, we will rise up on our own feet and end the dependency on other countries,” he said.

President Muizzu said his administration is also working on securing supplies of medicines and consumables from Europe and United States.

He promised that it will happen soon.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum comes to Maldives

Published

1 hour ago

12/05/2024

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum for 2024 has been scheduled to be held in the Maldives.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the forum will be held in the Maldives, noting it was privilege to become the forum’s host.

Besides this, the minister welcomed the high-level representation from Climate Finance Network (CFN) countries, and added the he was eager to “witness quick translation of forum outcomes into tangible action”.

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum will be organized and hosted by the ministry in association with the UNDP Maldives, with the support of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The forum aims to encourage the sustainability of ocean resources, improvement of economic prowess and employment scope related to the maritime and fisheries sectors.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

18 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

18 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew