Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) of China has donated essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies for the ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Maldives.
At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 10, the donation was handed over by SCG Project Manager Li Huanbin and Representative of SCG in the Maldives Shi Wanchun. The donation was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. The ceremony was also attended by Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Zhang Lizhong.
The donation includes essential personal protective equipment, namely, 20,000 medical masks, 10,000 pairs of medical gloves and 500 PPEs. The foreign ministry acknowledged the donation would be an added boost to increase the capacity of frontline workers in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Shahid emphasised the warm relations between the Maldives and China, noting China continues to be one of the most important international partners of the Maldives. Minister Shahid said the Maldives will strive to strengthen its existing bilateral ties with China and to work together internationally not only to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also towards the economic recovery efforts.
On behalf of the government of the Maldives, Foreign Minister Shahid expressed his gratitude to the Shanghai Construction Group and to the government and the people of China for the continued support and goodwill extended to the people of the Maldives at this challenging time.