Ambassador of Maldives to Japan, Mohamed Hussein Shareef has stated that efforts are underway to ease the visa issuance between Maldives and Japan.
The Maldivian Ambassador made the remarks while speaking on PSM News Programme, Talk Maldives. During the programme, the Ambassador highlighted that Maldives have enjoyed a multifaceted relationship, on the multilateral arena, sharing common values, and have worked very closely both in the United Nations and the Apex bodies. The Ambassador noted that Japan is one of the top donor and development partner to the Maldives, he said. Before the ongoing mega projects, some of the largest projects in the country was conducted via aid or assistance of Japan.
Mohamed Hussein Shareef highlighted some of these projects, including development of the seawall around Male' City, development of most of the primary schools in the country, assisting in upgrading of fishing vessels, assistance to islands in expanding agriculture sector. Ambassador Hussein Shareef said that Japan played a major role in the Maldives' graduation from LCD to developing countries. Referring to people to people relations, Shareef said Maldives is dream destination amongst Japanese.
Speaking about consular services, the Maldivian Ambassador to Japan said that work is in the pipeline to ease visa issuance, as well as ease the visa regime to those travelling to Japan. Ambassador Shareef also there are also plans to re-introduce direct flights between the two countries.
Speaking about the work carried out by Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) in Maldives, Ambassador Hussein Shareef said that the agency is overseeing a master plan for the fisheries sector of Maldives, the ISTBD project as well as a proposed new venture to begin a seaplane project. Japan will continue to be one of the closest countries to Maldives, citing that major activities are planned to mark the 50th anniversary since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries this year in November, Ambassador Shareef noted.