Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated the Maldives will make significant progress in economic development within the next three years.
Speaking to PSM News, Foreign Minister Shahid said the government will not use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to stall the development of the country. He noted the National Taskforce on Resilience Building and Economic Recovery convened by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has carried out important work in laying the path for economic recovery following the pandemic. He noted a special programme has been allocated under the name Aid, Trade, Tourism and Investment, aiming to achieve the goals set for the foreign sector through diplomatic missions established in countries. As such, he noted the programme focuses on seeking foreign aid for different sectors, advertising tourism, and enhancing trade relations.
The foreign minister further stated important decisions have been taken by the government following the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the dependency on import. In this regard, he noted large-scale projects have been launched to boost fisheries and agriculture sectors of the Maldives, which will be carried out across the country. He added infrastructure development projects which have been launched with the aim of broadening the economy will continue without interruption.