President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been conferred the first “Dr Kalam Puraskar for Excellence in Governance” Award at a special ceremony held this morning at the Dale View Institute.
President Yameen thanked the Government of India and the members of Dale View Group of Institution for conferring him with the Award and expressed his gratitude towards India and its people for standing by the Maldives and her people, both in good times and bad; unwavering, undeterred and uncompromising in extending its generosity as a good neighbour. India is the most important friend of the Maldives and one of the largest trading partners, the President said.
Highlighting the key pledges of the Administration, the President stated that implementation of a number of bold policies towards the creation of jobs for the youth, promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment of women in our society was underway, adding that the Administration was also addressing the fiscal challenges inherited from previous Administrations while working towards reigniting investor confidence; which continues to be at the very top of his agenda.
Describing the transformational infrastructure development projects that have been initiated, the President stated that work on the bridge between Male’ and Hulhumale’ commenced this year and that this would in turn link the Youth City and Male’ enabling the greater Male’ region to cater to the majority of the population ushering in bountiful economic opportunities.
The President stated that key development projects included the construction of the longest road in the country, ambitious social housing projects across the country and the Tsunami Rehabilitation project providing permanent housing for the affected families – the President highlighted that the Maldives is the first country to fully rehabilitate those affected by the Asian Tsunami.
