The government of Maldives is entering the new year, 2021, with “renewed hope” and “firm resolve” to revive the country’s economy and invigorate the nation, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president extended felicitations of the new year to the Maldivian people on Thursday, highlighting that he remains hopeful that the citizens will enter 2021 with their sense of kinship, spirit of community and sacrifice for the common good, all of which were brought into the spotlight by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

As such, the president highlighted that despite the challenges, 2020 also brought out the best in Maldivians.

Highlighting that the hardships that surfaced in the face of the pandemic had revealed highly vulnerable sectors of the island nation, President Solih noted that the pandemic has contributed to a new roadmap to nurture the country’s future best.

Going on to announce some of the larger projects envisioned for the year, the president highlighted that decentralization of essential services, is an important objective for 2021.

Further, President Solih noted that his administration will strive to ease the dependency on tourism and expressed hope to further develop the fisheries and agriculture sectors, in light of the economic challenges facing the island nation due to Covid-19.

The Solih administration remains “deeply committed” to protecting the environment and safeguard the vulnerable members of the society, as national progress is achieved.

Highlighting that a core value of his administration will always be to ensure all Maldivians are able to live happy and dignified lives, President Solih urged the public to participate in the endeavor by advocating compassion and solidarity

He urged the people to work together cooperatively to prosper the nation and expressed hope that the country’s efforts to revive the economy and return to normalcy will emerge victorious.

The president included the good fortune, felicity and affluence for the country as well as success in achieving a decentralized development, in his new year wishes.