WORLD NEWS | Maldives foreign minister praises India’s aid for development projects at Asian Economic Dialogue

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 23 (ANI): Maldives Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer on Thursday praised India’s assistance for development projects in the Maldives. In his speech at the opening of the Asian Economic Dialogue in 2023, he said that India-aided development projects in the Maldives are aimed at future growth.

“India and the Maldives share a unique bond based on mutual respect, trust and understanding that goes beyond simple geographical, historical and cultural ties. As the Honorable Dr. Jaishankar mentioned, the development we are undertaking There are fundamental differences between projects and aid from India.

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“I think it’s very important that the development projects that we do with India’s assistance are primarily geared toward future growth,” he added.

Ameer said the development projects include the Greater Male Connectivity Project which will transform the economy of the Maldives. The Maldives is also building two airports, one in the north and one in the south, he said.

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According to Ibrahim Ameer, Hanimaadhoo International Airport handles 1.8 to 2.1 million tourists per year. The Nangan International Airport, developed with the help of a credit line from the Export-Import Bank of China, will have a capacity of 1.8 million passengers, he said.

“Right now we are a $6 billion economy. But when we build these international airports in the north and south in a few years, let’s say 5-10 years, we’re not looking at a $6 billion economy. I believe we’re looking at, let’s say, a $1.5-20 billion economy, and we have very important infrastructure, sanitation projects,” Amir said.

“When we took office in late 2018, only about 30% of the districts of our country had proper water supply and sanitation programs, but now with the assistance of the Exim Bank of India, we now have water supply and sanitation programs in 70% of all other districts islands,” he added.

In his speech at the opening session of the Asian Economic Dialogue, he said the three things that bothered him were climate change, and the external shocks he highlighted were the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war and development efforts. He further said, “How do we ensure that our development projects can continue.”

Notably, the opening session of the dialogue was between Foreign Minister Jaishankar, Bhutanese Finance Minister Lyonpo Namgay Tshering and Ibrahim Ameer. The Asian Economic Dialogue (AED) is the annual flagship event on geoeconomics organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Pune International Centre. The 7th Asian Economic Dialogue will be held in Pune from 23-25 ​​February 2023. (Arnie)

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