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- Maldives News Bulletin Volume 113
Maldives News Bulletin Volume 113
Discover latest updates of the Government
The President's Office
August 12, 2024
Date: August 12, 2024 | Volume: 113
President Dr Muizzu meets with members of Male’ City Council
In the Photo: President of the Maldives, H.E Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has met with members of Male’ City Council to discuss essential needs and important development initiatives for Male’ City. The meeting was held at the Secretariat of the Male’ City Council.
During the meeting, Council members briefed the President on the challenges facing the ongoing development efforts in Male’ city. The Council members deliberated on effective strategies for addressing housing issues and road congestion in Male’. Additionally, the members informed the President about the cemetery’s capacity issues and the lack of centralised Council services. They also outlined the challenges faced in striving to provide optimal service to the community.
During the meeting, the President detailed the government’s initiatives to centralise services for the Male’ City Council and assured full support for improving public service provision. He also indicated that the Council’s role in addressing issues such as traffic congestion and housing would be incorporated.
The President also signed the official guestbook. The Council Members presented the President with a plaque, as a memento of this visit.
Today’s meeting was part of the President’s ongoing series of visits to the island council and city councils.
Source: The President’s Office
“India-Maldives relations has taken a modern leap”
The Minister of External Affairs of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said that the relationship between India and Maldives is a modern relationship that will bring delightful changes to the lives of the people. He made the statement during the ceremony held to mark the completion and handover of the Hankede Bridge project and the land reclamation project of Addu City  Speaking at the ceremony the Indian minister highlighted the aid of India in the development of Maldives and Addu City. Highlighting these aids, Dr. S. Jaishankar remarked that the relationship between India and Maldives has transformed into a modern relationship, that makes way for development that changes the lives of people. | Noting that these projects will facilitate domestic transportation and create more job opportunities in Addu City, Dr. S. Jaishankar stated that the project will also lead to economic growth with increase in business opportunities in the city. He also highlighted the Thilamale’ Bridge project will symbolise the strong relationship between India and Maldives and noted some of the major developmental projects being implemented in the Maldives with Indian assistance. The Indian Foreign Minister concluded his speech by noting that the country gives high priority to human resource development along with infrastructure development. He added that the opportunities for employee capacity building have been greatly increased recently. Source: PSM News |
The President meets the WDC of Male’ City
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met the Women’s Developing Committee (WDC) of Male’ City. The meeting was held at the Secretariat of the Male’ City Council on Sunday.
During today’s meeting, the Women’s Development Committee expressed that they receive comprehensive support from government authorities for their initiatives. However, they also conveyed concern about a lack of anticipated changes in the committee’s functions. Additionally, the committee briefed the President on their key plans for the year.
In the meeting, the President acknowledged that members had brought attention to major issues regarding salary constraints, allowances, and other entitlements. He mentioned that legal changes were in progress to address these concerns. Furthermore, he stated that the structure of the WDC would be revised to improve technical review and enhance the committee’s efficiency. He assured the Government would wholeheartedly support initiatives to empower women and advance their causes.
Prior to the meeting, the President also met with members of the Male’ City Council.
Source: The President’s Office
Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer departs to the Kingdom of Bahrain on an Official Visit
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Moosa Zameer, has departed today on an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, on the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.  During the visit, Minister Zameer will engage in high-level discussions with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, to review the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and explore avenues for future cooperation in areas of mutual interest. | This year marked the 44th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Bahrain. Minister Zameer is also scheduled to meet with other senior officials from the Government of Bahrain, including the Minister of Finance and National Economy, the Minister of Oil and Environment and the Minister of Tourism, to explore opportunities to enhance collaboration in various sectors between the two countries. During this visit, scheduled to take place from 11 to 15 August, Minister Zameer is accompanied by Ambassador-at-Large, Ahmed Naseer, Secretary, Bilateral, Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary, Mariyam Reesha and Assistant Director, Mizna Waheed. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
South Tourism Development Symposium 2024
The Ministry of Tourism has announced the South Tourism Development Symposium 2024, a pivotal event aimed at enhancing tourism development in the southern regions of the Maldives. The symposium is scheduled to take place on 12th August 2024 and will bring together key stakeholders and industry experts to discuss strategies for increasing tourist arrivals to Addu City, Huvadhu Atoll, and Fuvahmulah City.
The primary objective of the South Tourism Development Symposium 2024 is to explore, propose, and evaluate potential strategies that will boost tourism in the southern atolls by improving direct international connectivity. The symposium will serve as a platform for gaining deeper insights and knowledge from stakeholders and experts on overcoming barriers and addressing the challenges that currently hinder tourism growth in these areas.
The outcomes of the symposium are expected to provide valuable direction for the government in developing short and mid-term action plans aimed at overcoming these challenges.
This event is intended to gather a group of stakeholders, including representatives from both operational and developing tourist facilities in the southern atolls, domestic and international airlines, airports, travel agencies, associations, atoll councils from the southern atolls, and various government agencies.
Source: Ministry of Tourism
Three projects in Addu City completed and handed over to government
Three major development projects conducted in Addu City under the Indian Line of Credit facility have been completed and handed over to the Maldivian government. This includes the land reclamation project, the beach protection project and the “Hankede” Bridge project in Addu City.  The completion of the projects was inaugurated by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Moosa Zameer and Minster of Construction and Infrastructure of Maldives Dr Abdullah Mutalib. A total of 184.3 hectares of land was reclaimed under the land reclamation project of Addu City. This includes 80 hectares of land from Hithadhoo, 76 hectares from Maradhoo and Maradhoo Feydhoo, and 3.3 hectaresfor Addu detour link embankment. It also includes three islands of 8.3 hectares reclaimed for tourism. The Addu City Council has now passed the names of these islands as well. Under the Addu Beach Protection Project, an area of 7 km was riveted and protected. The government noted that the Addu reclamation project opens the entire city to tourism and economic activities. | It also says that this project will bring about positive changes to the housing problem faced by the residents of the city. Furthermore, the Addu Four Lane Detour Link Road or Hankede Bridge is a road developed in the southwest of Hankede island allocated for tourism development. The bridge development project commenced in 2021 and was developed with four lanes. With the completion of the project, the government has now held the ground-breaking ceremony of Hankede Integrated Tourism Development Project. This is one of the biggest tourism development projects to be undertaken in Addu City. The project will develop 1,041 rooms with 2,082 tourist beds. The Hankede Bridge project was in conjunction with the city’s road construction project, which is also near completion now. The contracts of the projects were awarded to AFCONS, the Indian company that has also been awarded the contract to build the Thilamale’ Bridge. Source: PSM News |
“Law enforcement must not be seen as rights deprivation”
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan has stated that the mindset that enforcing laws means depriving the people of their rights should be changed. He made the remarks during the ceremony held at Fuvahmulah City School to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rakkaa programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, the minister stated road safety can be maintained by changing the mindset of society. As such, he noted that the minds of the people should be developed in line with the development of the country. He also noted that there were people who benefited from the laws being unenforced and stated that they started getting into trouble the moment the laws started being enforced.
Meanwhile, Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafiq stated that important measures have been taken to maintain the safety and security of the roads in the city. As such, he noted the number of vehicles that can be used in the city will be limited and the allocation of specific areas for vehicle parking will be planned to reduce road congestion. He stated that he does not want the city’s road to be changed into the congested roads of the capital Male’ City
Maldives Police Service in collaboration with Allied Insurance launched the Rakkaa road safety programme to raise public awareness on road safety and reduce road accidents, in 2014. So far, more than 300 programs have been conducted under the Rakkaa road safety programme and information sessions have been held for more than 38,000.
Source: PSM News
Addu Roads to Be Developed with Weather Conditions in Mind: Gov’t
Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has stated that the roads of Addu City will be developed with the local weather conditions in mind. The remarks were made by the minister during a special ceremony held to mark the completion of two developmental projects in Addu.  The two projects, completed with the assistance of India, were officially handed over to the Government of Maldives. In his address, Minister Dr. Muththalib noted the road development in Addu City is approaching completion. The minister emphasised the roads have been constructed with environmental considerations in mind. As such, the roads were developed with drainage systems installed, to minimise flooding during the rainy season. | Furthermore, Minister Dr. Muththalib emphasised the importance of the developmental projects in Addu City, which were completed with the assistance of India. The minister noted that the development of the fourlane Addu detour bridge or the “Hankede” bridge was the first bridge established in the Maldives, excluding Male’ City. The development of the bridge aims to bolster the tourism sector of Addu. Additionally, Minister Muththalib revealed his aim of initiating new projects in collaboration with India, for the betterment of all citizens. He underscored India’s support for such major initiatives reflects the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Source: PSM News |
MPL confident Hoarafushi will become a significant maritime hub
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has expressed confidence Hoarafushi, in Haa Atoll, will become a significant maritime hub, as the maritime industry expands in the northern region of the nation. The government has initiated several efforts aiming to develop and enhance the maritime industry in the Maldives.  Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News, the CEO of MPL Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim disclosed decisions have been made to reclaim more land in Hoarafushi and develop several facilities in the reclaimed area. This includes the development of an oil terminal, a container terminal and free zone as well. | Wajeeh revealed that the necessary concepts for the projects have been prepared and finalised. He noted this initiative will bring revolutionary changes to the island while bolstering the nation’s economic development and growth as well The government is currently exerting efforts to commence international bunkering services in the northern region of the country, on August 22. Under these efforts, arrangements have been made to facilitate the islands with two oil tankers. Meanwhile, the State Trading Organisation (STO) also played a significant role, by signing a term sheet with multinational energy and commodity trading company, Vitol Bunkers, for the international bunkering project. The government is implementing the bunkering service in two phases. During the first phase, MPL will be providing an off-port bunkering service. For the second phase of the project, the government aims to develop a port with all other services required. The bunkering service is the supply of fuel to marine ships and vessels Source: PSM News |
