The government of Brunei has decided to increase scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students.

The decision was announced following a request from the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid during his official trip to Brunei.

FM Shahid departed to Brunei on Thursday and held meetings with the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs II as well as the Minister of Health.

At the call with the Sultan, FM Shahid expressed appreciation for Brunei’s aid with special recognition to the generous scholarship opportunities extended to the Maldivian people. Additionally, they discussed further avenues to consolidate bilateral ties that exist between Maldives and Brunei, at the multilateral front.

Upon minister Shahid’s request, the government of Brunei has guaranteed to increase scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students. No senior officials from Brunei have visited the Maldives since the year 1999. Nevertheless, following the meeting with the Sultan, FM Shahid stated that he is “convinced” that the new chapter of Maldives-Brunei relations that began today will “reach new heights in the years to come”.