Takehiko Nakao, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
During the call, President Solih thanked the ADB President for all that this organization has done for the Maldives since becoming a member of the organization in 1978.
At the meeting held at the President’s Office, President Solih and President Nakao discussed ways of taking forward engagements into the future, including through the provision of small grants and loans at concessional rates by the ADB to the Maldives, to facilitate development in the nation’s most important economic sectors, including Tourism and Fisheries.
The ADB President highlighted that it is essential that revenue generated from tourism is equitably distributed among the Maldivian population and that all citizens are able to avail themselves through this particular industry’s economic benefits. He highlighted that towards this end, it is important to strengthen the Maldives’ guest house industry.
Further, both President Solih and President Nakao discoursed on ways of ensuring that future development occurs sustainably, responsibly and in harmony with the Maldives’ natural blessings.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with the ADB President noting the sound economic ideas shaping President Solih’s Administration’s policies, thereby giving the ADB confidence that their future development schemes in the Maldives will prove to be fruitful.
During his two day visit, the President of ADB has also met with the speaker of the Parliament Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, Finance Minister and ADB Governor Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, and other senior officials.