President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that China was the No. 1 donor country for Infrastructure development in the Maldives. He made this statement while speaking at the courtesy call made by the Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Gao Yan. The meeting was held at the President’s Office on Wednesday morning.
At the meeting, the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce highlighted that, since the beginning of the year, bilateral relations between both countries had been consistently on the rise. In today’s meeting the President and the Chinese Vice Minister also discussed ways to further expand these relations in different areas which includes the establishment of the joint economic commission enabling stronger cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the meeting, President Yameen expressed gratitude for the assistance and support given by President Xi Jinping in the development of the Maldives. President Yameen said that the “China-Maldives friendship bridge” was especially connected to the dreams of the youth. He also said that the Government’s highest priority today was to attain economic advancement, and improving the livelihood of the Maldivian people.
President Yameen expressed his gratitude for the important role played by China in strengthening the Maldives’ economy; thereby contributing to greater social harmony. He said that the interest shown by Chinese investors in the Maldives has given a boost of confidence to other international investors as well.
At today’s meeting Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Gao Yan expressed her delight to be able to witness the commencement ceremony of the “China-Maldives friendship bridge” as the special envoy of the Chinese Government. She assured the President of China’s continuous support and assistance for the successful completion of the bridge and also assured the President that China would continue to support the development and betterment of the livelihood of Maldivians.
While speaking at the meeting, the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce highlighted that, in order to commence and complete the physical work of the bridge project in a timely manner, continuous support would be required from the President and the Government of Maldives. She further said that in order to overcome the challenges that might be encountered during the course of the project both countries would need to work closer together. She also spoke with President Yameen about training Maldivian youth on mega projects like that of the bridge construction.
The President was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dhunya Maumoon, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Under Secretary at the President’s Office Mr. Mohamed Naseer.
