President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has discussed the ongoing development projects under the assistance from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Maldives president is on a three-day trip to the middle-eastern nation, and on Monday morning, he met Sheikh Al Nahyan at the Palace of the Crown Prince in Abu Dhabi

Discussions that took place during the meeting revolved around updates of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic in both Maldives and UAE, as well as the development projects carried out under the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), in the Maldives.

The Maldives president applauded the leadership UAE showed in partnering with other countries to bolster the global efforts to eradicate the pandemic.

President Solih also admired the innovative technological strategies deployed by the middle-eastern nation in facing the Covid-19 outbreak.

Further, the president expressed appreciation for the “generous” assistance provided to the island nation’s development over the years.

During the meeting, President Solih and Sheikh Al Nahyan touched down on ways to explore more areas for collaboration between both countries, as well as diversifying existing bonds and enhancing cooperation.

The crown prince of Abu Dhabi assured the Maldivian president that he remains committed to continue supporting the government of Maldives, especially in ongoing development projects in the sectors of fisheries, food security, transportation and the tourism industry.

Maldives holds the middle-eastern nation as an important development partner, since the late 1970s.

These ties continue to nurture and very recently, Maldives entered a Memorandum of Understanding with ADFD for a grant of USD 50 million as budget support, on March 9, last year.

Some of the key infrastructural development projects funded by the middle-eastern nation include the development of Velana International Airport and Maafaru International Airport.

The president left on his three-day unofficial visit to UAE on Saturday, and he is set to return on Tuesday. This is his first trip this new year.