Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Japan, Ibrahim Uvais has stated that a macroeconomic and fiscal policy expert from Japan will arrive in the Maldives, next month.
The ambassador made the announcement while speaking to the media at the special ceremony held on Thursday morning to hand over the list of equipment to be provided under the Exchange of Notes signed between the two countries in October.
Highlighting the generous grant aid of 500 million Japanese yen (approx. USD 4.5million), the ambassador declared that the grant will be used in the provision of a landing craft and a fireboat for the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
He went on to elaborate on the substantial developments in bilateral relations between the two countries over the past year. This included President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s official visit to Japan to attend Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony in October where both countries signed the Exchange of Notes for the 500-million-yen grant, and the official visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer and Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail.
While the president’s official visit marked the first summit meeting between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, similarly, the ministers also met with their Japanese counterparts to hold bilateral talks.
He also noted high-level visits from Japan to the Maldives as a symbol of commitment towards building further bilateral bonds such as the visit by Mr Wataru Takeshita, the special envoy of Japan’s Prime Minister, to attend President Solih’s inauguration ceremony and the visit by Mr Kentaro Sonoura, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, to participate in the Maldives partnership forum.
Discussions with the prime minister, senior government officials and stakeholders during the president’s official visit in October touched on expanding collaboration in maritime, economic and fiscal affairs.
Likewise, the ambassador revealed that a macroeconomic and fiscal policy advisor from Japan will arrive in the Maldives in the upcoming month to assist in the current administration’s efforts to stabilize the economy.
Furthermore, he highlighted the ongoing climate resilience projects such as the pilot project to harness electricity from surf waves currently being tested in Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives in partnership with Kokyo Tatemono Company Ltd (Kokyo) and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST).
The ambassador also recognized the Japanese government’s contributions in the field of Human Resources, such as the “JENESYS” youth exchange program, and the offer by Odawara City to accommodate and extend the necessary support to the team of Maldivian athletes training for the Summer Olympics 2020 hosted by Japan.
The ambassador also stated that the Maldives’ embassy in Japan is working closely with several Japanese NGO’s and universities to provide a comprehensive “educational opportunity framework and cultural exchanges between the two countries.”
Speaking at the same ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Keiko Yanai revealed that the Japanese government will be donating 13 items for international and domestic airport security as detailed in the list provided at the handover ceremony.
This list of equipment is comprised of several “liquid scanners, mobile x-ray scanners, hand-held metal detectors, hand radios, different types of cameras, and 44 vehicles ranging from sedans to four-wheel drive heavy-duty SUV’s”.
She asserted Japan’s commitment to nurturing bilateral ties and stated that Japan has been fast-tracking aid efforts since their embassy was established in Male’ city in 2016.
Japan has been one of the biggest development partners to the Maldives, having contributed immensely to the country’s socio-economic development during the past few decades.
The country has previously extended aid in promoting local industries, addressing the negative impacts of climate change as well as environmental issues alongside disaster management. Further, the government of Japan also provided equipment for disaster reduction, equipment for several sectors such as the health and education sectors and grant aid to enhance security efforts.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the officials of the Embassy of Japan to the Maldives were also in attendance at the handover ceremony, including Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
