Govt signs four MoUs with Maldives
Najib and host leader witness deals to boost ties between both nations
MALE: Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The memorandum on cooperation in the field of fire-fighting and rescue training was signed by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and the Maldives Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef Omar.
The MoU on cooperation in the field of health was signed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.
The MoU on the creation of the Maldives Culture Centre in Malaysia was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and the Maldives Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Asim.
The cooperation in the field of higher education was signed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and the Maldives Minister of Education Dr Aishath Shiham.
Najib said Malaysia has expressed the desire to cooperate with the Maldives in the halal industry, particularly in halal food, services and Islamic tourism and finance.
At a joint press conference with Abdulla Yameen after one-to-one and bilateral delegation meetings, Najib said both Malaysia and the Maldives can cooperate or even export halal products to third countries.
Both sides can also look into Islamic finance as Malaysia is a leader in the sector, he added.
On tourism, Najib said the Maldives had succeeded beyond expectations and had been able to bring in some big names to operate hotels in the island nation and set its popularity as a major global tourist destination.
The Maldives, an archipelago situated in the Indian Ocean, consists of 1,190 islands. Only 195 islands are inhabited and about 90 have been developed as tourist resorts.
“I hope there will be opportunities for Malaysian companies to partake in the investment of your tourism development,” he added.
On another note, Najib said the Maldives’ validation of Malaysia as the model of economic development was a very strong vindication that the Malaysian Government had been doing the right thing.
“I’d like to thank you (Maldives President) for giving us the confidence that we are on the right track,” he added.
Najib arrived here on Tuesday and was accorded a state welcome at the Jumhooree Square here yesterday.
Both he and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were received upon arrival by Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim.
Rosmah had a separate programme in Hulhumale. She visited the Fiyavathi Orphanage which houses orphaned and neglected children.
Malaysia and the Maldives, being Islamic countries, enjoy warm and wide-ranging substantive relations in various fields, including education, tourism and technical assistance, which have brought mutual benefit to both nations.
The two countries established bilateral relations 49 years ago. The 90,000sq km island nation has close to 450,000 people.