President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a significant advancement in relations between the Maldives and Malaysia, following high-level bilateral discussions during his official visit to Malaysia. The consultations, which spanned a range of strategic sectors, underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations and laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration.
The announcement came during a joint press statement issued by President Dr Muizzu and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where both leaders reflected on the 57-year diplomatic relationship between their countries. President Dr Muizzu expressed his gratitude for the warm reception extended to him in Malaysia and acknowledged the nation's substantial contributions to the Maldives over the decades.
Highlighting the depth of this partnership, President Dr Muizzu noted Malaysia's pivotal role in the development of Maldivian civil servants through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. "Over 600 scholarships have been awarded to Maldivians for higher education in Malaysia," he stated, highlighting the enduring impact of these initiatives.
The discussions culminated in the signing of agreements across key sectors, including health, tourism, sports, financial services, and diplomatic training. President Dr Muizzu underscored the tangible benefits these agreements would bring to the Maldives, describing them as a testament to the mutual advantages of strengthened collaboration.
Expanding on the scope of cooperation, President Dr Muizzu outlined aspirations to deepen ties in critical areas such as defence, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. "I conveyed our commitment to fostering collaboration in defence, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity," he remarked, signalling the nation's strategic priorities.
Economic cooperation emerged as a central theme, with President Dr Muizzu detailing plans to provide Malaysian investors with comprehensive information on opportunities within the Maldives. He pointed to prospects in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as well as the nation's digital and maritime economies and financial services. President Dr Muizzu expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for accepting an invitation to participate in the Maldivian Investment Forum.
As the discussions drew to a close, President Dr Muizzu turned his attention to climate change resilience and environmental goals, underscoring their importance to both nations. He extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to visit the Maldives, further solidifying the partnership between the two countries. President Dr Muizzu's official visit to Malaysia is scheduled to conclude on 30 April.