Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 130

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Moosa Zameer, has extended warm greetings to the Slovak Republic on its Constitution Day and to Uzbekistan on its Independence Day.

Minister Zameer’s message to Juraj Blanár, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, on the occasion of Slovakia’s Constitution Day reads:

“On behalf of the Government, the people of the Maldives and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend warm greetings and good wishes to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of the Slovak Republic, on the occasion of your Constitution Day.

It is my sincere hope that the ties of friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and the Slovak Republic will continue to strengthen in the years ahead.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Minister Zameer’s message to His Excellency Saidov Baxtiyor Odilovich, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the occasion of the 33rd Independence Day of Uzbekistan reads:

“On the happy occasion of the 33rd Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I would like to extend warm greetings and good wishes to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of the Republic of Uzbekistan. I look forward to working with Your Excellency to further strengthen our bilateral ties and friendship. I wish Your Excellency good health, as well as continued peace and prosperity to the people of Uzbekistan. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Minister of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed has announced that Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) will now be responsible for implementing housing projects across the Maldives.

Speaking at a press conference on the government’s reform initiatives, Minister Dr Haidar highlighted a significant change in the structure of FDC, which is now transitioned into a subsidiary of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

The minister noted FDC is already managing a major social housing project and will henceforth oversee all social housing projects nationwide. The shift aims to streamline housing development efforts and ensure uniformity in the execution of housing projects across the country.

Currently, a total of 4000 housing units are being developed in Hulhumale’ under FDC-JMC and FDC-NBCC housing project. This includes 1400 units of 900-square-foot, 3-bedroom apartments, and 600 units of 650-square-foot, 2-bedroom apartments.

During the press conference, Housing Minister Dr Haidar mentioned that FDC will not only carry out housing projects in Hulhumale’ but carry out housing projects across the country. The minister further elaborated that with this change, HDC will henceforth act as the master developer. He said HDC will also take on the role of master developer for urban centers in different parts of the country.

Further, the minister also mentioned the President intends to convert HDC into a public limited company and eventually sell its shares to the public, aiming to involve the broader population in the country’s urban development efforts.

Source: PSM

The Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) has resumed operations at its original building in Malé City, following a decision by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The move comes after renovations were made to the building, allowing students to once again receive higher secondary education at the site. Previously, the provision of education at this campus was halted when a new CHSE facility was opened in Hulhumalé in 2023 under the former administration. This reopening will not affect the educational services provided at the CHSE building in Hulhumalé, which will continue to operate as usual.

In a post shared on social media, Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu stated that the arrangements were made to ensure that higher secondary education is provided from a government school in Male’ City as well. The minister affirmed that the school would be the best school providing higher secondary education in the Greater Male’ Region, assuring that it will consist of a convenient environment for students. He stated that this change will reduce the number of students travelling between the two cities and would also assist in implementing closure in education and reduce the government expenditure on higher education.

Recognising the increasing number of students completing O’Levels, Minister Dr. Shafeeu explained that the decision to resume providing education in the CHSE building in Male’ was taken to ensure that students were presented with more opportunities to study A Levels.

CHSE was established on July 3, 1979, under the name “Science Education Centre”. The school is a well-renowned school, and the oldest school teaching A Level in the nation.

Source: PSM

Dhivehi Bahuge Academy, the national language institute of the Maldives, has inaugurated its annual book fair, “Fendaa Mauraz 2024.” This marks the second year of the event, which will take place at the academy, till September 2, between 1000hrs to 1700hrs.

The fair will showcase a wide selection of books, including those published by the academy, children’s literature, historical works, storybooks, and novels. Notably, the fair will feature a special book detailing the history of the kings and queens of the Maldives, available in both English and Dhivehi Language

In addition to the academy’s own publications, the fair will also present works by individual authors. The academy has revealed that the prices of books at the fair will be reduced compared to standard rates.

Source: PSM