The assistance provided both financially and developmentally to the Maldives by the government of India has gone a long way in delivering President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s development pledges across the islands, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid.
He said this in his remarks at the signing ceremony for Memorandums of Understanding for seven key projects under the High-Impact Community Development scheme, on Monday.
FM Shahid noted that it was just a few weeks ago that Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar in his visit to the Maldives announced the seven new projects signed earlier this week, adding that a total grant of MVR 26,802,328 which is equivalent to approximately USD 1.7 million is to be implemented under the High Impact Community Development Project Scheme.
The Foreign Minister described this to be one of the best outcomes and a key highlights of Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives.
He noted that the announcement was yet another milestone achieved in the Maldives-India development partnership.
Stressing that High Impact Community Development Projects constitute an important dimension of the dynamic development partnership between the Maldives and India, FM Shahid stated that both Maldives and India share the vision of empowering people at a community level.
As such, he stated that three of the seven projects launched recently attribute to the betterment of health sector, with two others being focused on youth empowerment and one for sports development.
A positive minister asserted that all of these projects, including the one focused on preservation and protection of our rich culture and heritage will have a positive impact in improving the quality of life of Island communities and will give renewed impetus to the efforts of the Island Councils in ensuring the social well-being.
Establishing a mental health center at Addu Equatorial Hospital, a speech therapy unit at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital, prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing workshop at Hulhumalé Hospital will immensely contribute to strengthen the much-needed health facilities in these regions. India’s assistance to the Maldives health sector is abundant. This was evident even during the pandemic, and here I note the donation of vaccines by India was a pivotal moment on our path to recovery.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Highlighting that the development of a multi-sports complex in Manadhoo island of Noonu atoll will be another step taken towards paving opportunities for youth to be trained at an international standard multi-sporting complex and host national and international tournaments, FM Shahid stated that the establishment of youth centers in Dhigurah island in Alif Dhaal atoll and Gemanafushi island in Gaaf Alif atoll, will prove to provide opportunities to develop a culture of physical wellbeing while maintaining an active lifestyle through a vibrant facility.
Touching down on the projects to preserve sites of cultural significance, the minister noted that the Dhiyamigili Ganduvaru restoration project will preserve the palace attributed to the founder of the fifth royal dynasty to rule over the Maldives – the ‘Dhiyamigili Dynasty’.
He added that the site museums in Landhoo Maabudhuge area will also showcase the “strong” and “beautiful” culture of Maldives for generations to come.
The foreign minister highlighted that the seven projects initiated on Monday, along with the ongoing eighteen projects and two projects inaugurated in March under the High Impact Community Development Project Scheme, mirror the government’s strong commitment to strengthen decentralization efforts across the scatter of islands comprising the Maldives.
FM Shahid went on to express gratitude to President Solih for his guidance and for his vision for a prosperous future for the Maldivian communities.
