Category: News in Brief

China-Maldives Business Forum held in Shanghai

The China-Maldives Business Forum, created to promote economic ties between the two countries, was held in Shanghai on Sunday.

The forum was organised by the Maldives embassy in China and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Over 23 Chinese businesses participated in the forum, most of them operating in the areas of construction, fisheries, tourism and transportation.

A presentation on investment opportunities in the Maldives was given during the forum by Special Envoy of the President, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ahmed Shaheed; and Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Rasheed.

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Dhiraagu improves bill payment options

Dhiraagu announced the addition of two more shops through which customers can pay their bills, reports Miadhu.

Maaveli Shop in Raa Ungoofaaru and Dhonkeyolhu Shop in Raa Alifushi are now accepting payments for all Dhiraagu bills.

Dhiraagu is working to introduce more partner shops through which customers can pay their bills.

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President Nasheed focusing on development projects, not local politics

On his return from Bhutan and China, President Mohamed Nasheed said Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s recent criticisms, and individual parties regrouping as a strong opposition, did not concern him, reports Miadhu.

President Nasheed said his main concern at the moment are the development projects for the country, some of which could begin soon, he said.

The president added that the Chinese government will donate US$210 million to the Maldives, US$10 million of which will be grant assistance.

He said China would work on increasing the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives, as well as assisting in improving the medical sector and deliver more scholarships for Maldivian students.

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Australia issues travel warning for the Maldives

The Australian government has issued a travel warning to Australians travelling to the Maldives, reports Miadhu.

The warning was first classified as level 3, meaning “high degree of caution.” It has now been downgraded to level 4, “exercise caution.”

Australia has warned its citizens to be careful of crime and civil unrest in the Maldives, and has suggested travellers to keep informed of the news about possible safety risks.

Australian citizens have also been warned to avoid public gatherings and demonstrations as they could turn violent.

Although the United States has not advised its citizens not to travel to the Maldives, the US embassy to the Maldives does warn its nationals not to engage in political activities in the Maldives.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Naseem, told Miadhu that such travel advisories will affect the tourism industry in the Maldives and added the Australian government had not consulted with the Maldivian government before issuing the warning.

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President Nasheed meets with Chinese President

As part of his official visit to China for the Shanghai World Expo 2010, President Mohamed Nasheed met with Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Shanghai.

President Jintao said President Nasheed’s visit was a historic one and represented the importance of relations between China and the Maldives.

He thanked the government and people of the Maldives for their support of China and hoped to strengthen bilateral relations to benefit both countries. He said he hoped to increase mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation, and improve communication and coordination between the two governments.

President Jintao continued to say China would assist the Maldives in overcoming economic challenges, and pledged 50 million Chinese Yuan (US$7.3 million) in grant aid for the Maldives.

The Chinese president added climate change was an issue equally important to China as it is to the Maldives and assured support to the Maldives on the issue.

President Nasheed thanked the Chinese government and people for making an important contribution to the social and economic development of the Maldives.

He said the Maldives was facing many developmental challenges due to climate change, with fresh water and housing both in short supply.

President Nasheed encouraged Chinese companies working in renewable energy technologies to invest in the Maldives, thus improving their bid to become carbon-neutral by 2020 and creating an example on green technologies.

President Nasheed also briefed President Jintao on the recent sixteenth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit that took place in Bhutan last week, as China is an observer country of the SAARC.

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President returns to the Maldives

After their official visits to Bhutan and China, President Mohamed Nasheed and First Lady Laila Ali have returned to the Maldives.

The president visited Bhutan for the Sixteenth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, which was held in Thimphu on 28 and 29 of April.

President Nasheed met with several SAARC country leaders during his first visit to a SAARC summit.

They departed for China after the summit to attend the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and inaugurate the Maldives Pavilion at the fair.

The president also met with Chinese President Hu Jinato and with Honourary Consuls to the Maldives in China.

First Lady Laila Ali also met with the Honourary Consul in Shanghai, who donated US$20,000 to Kudakudhige Hiya home for children in Vilingili.

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GIP hopes Dr Waheed will run for president in 2013: Taqfeeq

Secretary General for Gaumee Ithithihaadhu Parly (GIP), Ahmed Tafeeq, has said a potential bid by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed to run for president in 2013 is a positive development, “as there is no other personality as educated and qualified”, reports Miadhu.

After recent criticisms from Dr Waheed regarding the government, first on VTV’s show Hoonu Gondi (Hot Seat) and later at a GIP rally, speculations that he will run for president in the 2013 elections have erupted. But Dr Waheed said he has “no idea where this is coming from,” noting he still has not decided whether or not he will run in the elections.

Tafeeq said his party, also Dr Waheed’s party, has the right to raise issues regarding how the country is being run, and said the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) should welcome the Vice President’s criticisms.

According to Miadhu, MDP has said if Dr Waheed is running for president, “there is no point in remaining in the VP’s position as there would be a very distinct and clear conflict of interest.”

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President meets with Honourary Consuls in China

As part of their official visit to China, President Mohamed Nasheed and First Lady Laila Ali met with Honourary Consuls to the Maldives in China.

President Nasheed met with Honourary Consul in Shainghai, Yang Guisheng, and with Honourary Consul in Hong Kong, Bob N Harulela.

President Nasheed called for more dynamic roles of Honourary Consuls in the development of the Maldives, noting they could play an important role in developing stronger relations and increasing commercial ties between the Maldives and their countries.

The president noted the areas the Maldives needed most assistance, and the consuls assured assistance to the Maldives and said they would be more engaged in finding new investments for the Maldives.

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DQP holds party elections and pledges to win 2013 presidential elections

Newly elected Dhivehi Qaumy Party (DQP) Dr Hassan Saeed has pledged to secure a victory for his party in the 2013 presidential elections, reports Miadhu.

In the first congress of the party held last weekend at Bandos Resort, Dr Saeed said he will continue his party’s efforts to make the current government accountable. He added DQP will form necessary alliances to win the 2013 elections.

Elections for the party were also held, but there was not much competition for leadership positions in the party. Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Imad Solih and Abdul Matheen were elected as deputy leaders, and Abdulla Ameen was the only candidate for secretary general.

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