President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that his aim was to make a significant difference in the next five years, with an ambitious government, and a young and dynamic Cabinet. The President made this remark at a courtesy call paid by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, H.E. K. Shanmugam.
At the meeting held this evening, the President underlined the success of the Maldives Investment Forum, saying that it had been very well received by the participants, with lots of positive feedback. The President said that the Government’s focus was now on developing other areas besides tourism, and that Maldives hopes to emulate Singapore in this endeavor.
Highlighting the tremendous achievements in the tourism sector, the President noted that the Maldives has become a premium tourist destination. The President said that tourism industry was the center of development in the atolls, and shared with the Singaporean Minister, his vision for tourism expansion in the country.
President Yameen also briefed the Singaporean Minister on the Government’s major development projects planned for the future, and noted that infrastructure and human resource development were highly prioritized areas.
Speaking at the meeting, the Singaporean Foreign Minister congratulated the Maldives’ Government for its initiatives in promoting business and investment opportunities. The Minister wished the Maldives’ Government every success in its development initiatives, and assured the President of Singapore’s continued support, especially in human resource development.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainy, First Secretary at the Maldivian High commission in Singapore, Munnim Anees, and High Commissioner of Singapore to the Maldives, Dr. Chua Yong Hai.
