President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has expressed his appreciation to Japan’s corporate society for their contribution in the contemporary socioeconomic development of the Maldives. The President made this remark while speaking at the Maldives Investment Promotion forum, organized by the Japan External Trade Organisation this afternoon.
The President noted that there were few among the Maldives’ development partners who have contributed as much as Japan has, towards the transformation of the Maldives from its place at independence, among the five poorest countries in the world, to its current status as a developing middle-income country. In this regard, the President underlined the many contributions Japan has made towards the Maldives’ development.
In his speech, the President noted that the strong affiliation between the Maldives and Japan has served to promote special bonds of friendship and trust among their people.
In his speech, the President reiterated the Government’s commitment to reverse the country’s current economic fortunes, saying that his administration has opened its doors to foreign investors, by offering incentives, concessions, cross subsidies, leverages and Government guarantees.
The President said that the Government’s vision was to become a high income, resilient and inclusive economy, by diversifying the economy to new sectors and industries; and by diversify the financial services sector through the development of a modern legal regime to protect the sector and its new entrants.
President Yameen also highlighted in his speech, the areas the Government was looking into, for future endeavors; namely, disaster risk management and environmental security in the Maldives, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and sports, agriculture, human resources development, tourism, defense, infrastructure and light industries.
Minister of Economic Development Hon. Mohamed Saeed gave a presentation at the forum, on the investment opportunities in the Maldives. Following the presentation, the President, the Minister of Economic Development, and the Minister of Tourism took questions from the audience.
