President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim have arrived back in Malé this afternoon, on conclusion of official visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit was made at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and the Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
During the visit, President Yameen met key leaders in UAE, and discussed ways to further strengthen and diversify trade, increase technical and financial assistance, and further accelerate socioeconomic ties between the UAE and the Maldives. In this regard, President Yameen held a meeting with the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was held at the Ruler's Court in Dubai, Minister of Energy of UAE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei at the Burj Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of UAE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Chairman and CEO of international trading company DP World Group Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. The meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries.
At a ceremony held at the Ruler's Court in Dubai, four key agreements were signed between the government of Maldives and the UAE, as part of this trip. President Abdulla and Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnessed the signing ceremony of key agreements between the two governments.
The Maldives and the UAE signed agreements for the Avoidance of Double taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, a memorandum of understanding on Mutual Exemption of Entry Visas for holders of Diplomatic Passports and an agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments. A loan agreement was also signed between the Government of Maldives and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to finance the development project of Velana International Airport.
The President and the First Lady was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim, the Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed and Minister of Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim.