President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that the Chinese government has pledged USD 130 million in grants to the Maldives.
Speaking at Velana International Airport after concluding his first state visit to China, at the invitation of the President of People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, President Muizzu stated that China has pledged USD 130 million in grants. He added that a significant portion will be allocated to the development of roads in Malé City.
Providing details of his visit to China, President Muizzu stated that, recognizing free trade zones as the most crucial aspects of the country's economic growth, he had reviewed the free trade zones in Xiamen, China.
Since then, a business forum called Invest Maldives was held in Fuzhou, with over 300 Chinese businesses participating, he said. President Muizzu mentioned that the forum had facilitated many things.
"It was the largest and most successful investment forum ever held... With participation from both government and private companies in the Maldives. The forum served as a platform for discussions and facilitated initiatives," the President said.
He also observed the activities of Fuzhou's largest fishing company.
After his visit to Fuzhou, the President then went to Beijing. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, key agreements were signed between Maldives and China to provide assistance to the Maldives in 20 areas.
Areas of assistance:
- Fisheries
- Digital economy
- Public service media development
- Fully funded scholarships for 1,000 civil servants in the field of Human Resource Development
- Economic development, expansion of agricultural sector
- Expand tourism, increase the number of Chinese tourist arrivals, enhance direct flights, and expand marketing efforts (with the goal of substantially increasing Chinese tourist arrivals to pre-Covid-19 levels within the next two years)
- Development of 30,000 social housing in RasMalé
- Velana International Airport
- Development of a commercial district in Hulhumalé 2
- Increase marketing
- Banking sector
- Thilafushi Port
- Establishment of an agricultural facility in Uthuru Thila Falhu
- Decision to establish a sister city of Fuzhou and Malé City
- Decision to assist in the field of sports
- Expressed interest in investing in renewable energy
- Development of a 100 bed tertiary hospital in Vilimalé
- Provision of all equipment to the laboratories of 17 island health centers free of charge
- Arrangement of shore protection and waste management in four islands
- Agreement for the design and construction of electricity, water, road development, and fire protection systems in RasMalé and Gulhifalhu
The President stated that a technical team has been sent from the Maldives to China to review the current plan for repaying the loans owed by the country to China.
China and the Maldives have a highly exemplary relationship built on four pillars, he said. These pillars include mutual respect, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of both countries, President Muizzu said.