Discussions have been held on potential avenues to expand the partnership between the Maldives and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The discussions were held during a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and the Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia at USAID, Änjali Kaur.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday morning.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around the growing partnership between the Maldives and USAID, especially in the areas of public finance management, democratic governance, individual and community resilience and the environment.

FM Shahid and the Deputy Assistant Administrator went on to shed light on the ongoing USAID projects in the Maldives, and explored potential ways through which the relations can be expanded.

Expressing appreciation to USAID and the U.S. government for the continuous contributions made towards the socio-economic development of the Maldives, FM Shahid stressed on the significance of sustaining the partnership.

The Maldivian minister was accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Bilateral Secretary Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Assistant Director Mohamed Shaffau Ibrahim.

USAID Mission Director Gabriel Grau and officials from the USAID Mission to the Maldives accompanied Deputy Assistant Administrator Kaur.