If the Maldives succeeds in efforts to become corrupt-free, it will attract more foreign investors to the country, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

While the 09th of December marks the International Anti-Corruption Day, President Solih had addressed the occasion on Sunday morning, stressing on the Maldives low score on the recent corruption perception index and urging everyone to aim towards abstaining from the culture of corruption.

President Solih also stated that one of the most important goals on his administration is to recover public funds lost due to corrupt practices.

In his address the President shed light on his electoral pledge of eradicating corruption from the country, stating that his government highly prioritizes resolving the loss of public assets and funds due to corruption.

Stating that the Maldives will “soon experience good governance and strengthened state institutions”, President Solih stated that one of the most important steps towards eliminating corruption is to win the public’s trust for state institutions.

President Solih stressed on the significance of ensuring sincerity, accountability and transparency of state institutions, highlighting that all civil servants, senior executives, especially Cabinet Ministers must abstain from corruption and must be accountable to citizens.

Urging all state institutions to give their full cooperation and support to the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives, President Solih pushed institutions to rise in efforts to build a corrupt-free society.

The President emphasized on the importance of delivering fair and equal public services from state institutions in their effort to eliminate corruption within the government.

Noting that the level of progress the country desires will not be reached unless the culture of corruption is erased from the nation, President Solih reassured of his administration’s full support and cooperation with the cause.

The international day of Anti-Corruption has been observed annually and globally since the United Nations Convention Against Corruption had in 2003, paved a passage to raise public awareness for anti-corruption.