The Government of Japan has extended MVR 21.7 million as grant aid to the government of Maldives, in order to support the island nation’s Covid-19 response efforts and recovery plan.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Japanese government extended a total of MVR 21,740,400 in aid through the United Nations Development Programme in the Maldives (UNDP), and it aims to assist the island nation step up its efforts against the current challenges in the face of the global pandemic and help the country “gear up towards recovery”.

Following the donation, the Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude to the Japanese government on behalf of the government and people of Maldives, who remain forever grateful for the generosity and solidarity show by Japan, especially in times of crisis.

The grant aid package is expected to benefit the government and entrepreneurs of the country who are looking forward to the government opening up the economy, after the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted.

It further aims to enable bigger investments to address and diversify the economic base, all the while exploring new avenues of free enterprise.

The grant will also contribute to boosting the country’s economic growth, in the long-term.

The government has applauded the Japanese government for continuing to remain as an important bilateral development partner of the Maldives.

This comes at a time both governments are discussing the initiation of a project to assist the Maldives in enhancing capacity of health service providers in the island nation, so as to curb the spread of the virus.

Earlier in May, Japan provided MVR 5,346,000 as grant support for the UNICEF Maldives, as well as MVR 2,775,000 for Maldives Red Crescent to assist the Government of Maldives in its Covid-19 response efforts.

Apart of Japan, Maldives has been receiving aid through funds as well as donations of medical supply and essential equipments for the Covid-19 response efforts from several other countries.