The World Bank has expressed openness to offer financial and technical assistance to operationalize the pledges outlined in the manifesto and help actualise the development vision of the government of Maldives. The statement was made during the courtesy call by the high-level delegation of World Bank on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The high-level delegation of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), including the World Bank Vice President for South Asia Hartwig Schafaer and IFC Vice President for Asia and Pacific Nena Stoiljkovic met President Solih at the President’s Office. During the call, President Solih welcomed the delegation to Maldives and highlighted this year marks the 41st anniversary of the establishment of engagement between Maldives and World Bank.
Speaking during the meeting, President Solih acknowledged and extended deep appreciation for the generous support and assistance provided to Maldives over the years. The president noted Maldives faces a myriad of challenges. He emphasised the administration is committed to overhaul public finance management, asset recovery and infrastructure development in Maldives. The president further highlighted on prioritisation of decentralisation to achieve overall national development felt on all levels of the society.
The delegation from the World Bank commended the administration’s forward-looking governance policies and plans for development, noting that the outlook is deemed both ambitious and promising. The delegation expressed openness to offer financial and technical assistance to operationalize the pledges outlined in the government’s manifesto and help actualize its development vision. Chief amongst the areas deliberated on include improving the capacity of the banking system, promotion of small and medium enterprises, job creation, executing housing projects, renewable energy production and in supporting the Government’s decentralization agenda.
The call concluded with both sides resolving to work closely in the coming months and years to fructify the mutually agreed upon areas of development.