Author: Minivan News

Pakistan to support Maldivian agriculture

Pakistan has offered to support the development of agriculture in the Maldives by offering agriculture courses to students and expressing interest in the import of rice, fruit and garments to Pakistan.

Miadhu reports that Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, met with the Maldives High Commissioner Shehenaz Adam and proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the potential for trade between the two countries.

The Maldives is keen to diversify its economy, as it is almost exclusively dependent on the tourism and fishing industries

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Cabinet discusses establishing permanent quarantine facilities and international airports and sea ports

At a meeting yesterday, the Cabinet discussed the importance of establishing permanent quarantine facilities that measure up to international standards at international airports and sea ports in the country.

The Ministry of Health and Family presented a paper on the matter, which highlighted the importance of establishing permanent quarantine facilities.

In a situation of a pandemic disease, infected passengers could be more effectively quarantined, said cabinet members. They agreed that having a permanent facility would eliminate the need for temporary facilities every time there is a pandemic outbreak.

The Ministry of Health and Family, along with the National Disaster Management Centre, are now in charge of producing a paper on how to set up these facilities, and to make the necessary arrangements to establish them.

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Vice President says improving standard of education is top priority

Vice President Mohamed Waheed said improving the standard of education was a top priority for the government, speaking at the 25th anniversary assembly of Jamaluddin School yesterday morning.

Speaking to the students, he urged them to be obedient and strive for excellence, assuring them that the government is working to improve the standards of education.

He spoke of the importance of good behaviour and social discipline, and said the school environment should facilitate extracurricular activities.

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President Nasheed supports arms embargo on Myanmar

President Nasheed has voiced his support for Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta’s call to place an arms embargo on Myanmar/Burma until Aung Sang Suu Kyi is released.

At a joint press conference held on Sunday, President Nasheed said he was “encouraged by the process of engagement that is underway” for the release of Suu Kyi, and hoped she would be released before the next presidential elections in Burma later this year.

This follows the recent meeting President Nasheed had with the new Burmese Ambassador to the Maldives, U Ohn Thwin, to whom he voiced his concerns about the continued imprisonment of Suu Kyi.

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Fahumy to sign with MDP today

Miadhu has reported that former DRP MP, Alhan Fahmy, is to sign with MDP today.

Fahmy was suspended from the DRP after voting against his party line late last year, and had said if he were to join a new party it would “most likely be MDP, as they have the best internal democracy.”

Miadhu reports that many of his supporters, will also make the move to MDP.

Fahmy signs to MDP on the same day his former party commences its congress.

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President Nasheed addresses the nation on National Day

In his speech early this morning of 15 February, President Nasheed celebrated the Maldives’ National Day by addressing the nation at a special ceremony held at Jumhooree Maidhaan.

The President said the Maldives has a long and proud history of freedom, and its history of independence was among the longest in the region. He also said it was a time to look back at the history of the country and consider the challenges that lie ahead.

The President made a special mention of Mohamed Thakurufaanu, the hero of the National Day. He said it is necessary to look back at the wars and struggles that were fought in the past, which signify the freedom Maldivians have today.

The national flag was hoisted at Jumhooree Maidhaan, and throughout the streets.

The ceremony concluded with a special supplication.

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Minister of Finance and Treasury to finalise loans with ADB

The Minister of Finance and Treasury Ali Hashim, has been appointed to represent the Maldivian government, with full power and authority to finalise and execute two loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The two technical assistance loan agreements have been negotiated to help the Maldives’ economic recovery programme.

The first special drawing rights loan is of MRF21,912,000 (US$35 million) which is proposed to finance capacity development for the economic recovery programme.

The second loan is of MRF 939,000 (equivalent to US$1.5 million) which will finance the economic development programme.

The ADB will also provide a grant aid of US$3 million in addition to the two loans.

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Man injured and motorbike destroyed

A 17 year old man was seriously injured when he lost control of his motorbike and hit a wall on Addoo Link road on Friday night, reports Miadhu.

Police said the man suffered serious injuries and the motorbike was completely destroyed.

The man did not have a driving license, they said.

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