Saudi Arabia

Maldives News Network | 1 year, 7 months ago | neutral

Parliament approves Ahmed Sareer as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Parliament approved Ahmed Sareer as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia with 86 votes in favor. President Muizzu nominated him on October 15, and the Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved. Sareer currently serves as Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has held roles including Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to the US, and worked at OIC in Jeddah from 2018 to 2024. He chaired the Alliance of Small Island States from 2015-2017.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 7 months ago | neutral

President Muizzu Appoints New Envoys to India, Saudi Arabia

President Mohamed Muizzu appointed Aishath Azeema as High Commissioner to India and Ahmed Sareer as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, following parliamentary confirmations on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Azeema has been in the foreign service since 1988 and served as Ambassador to China (2019-2023). Sareer served as Ambassador to the UN (2012-2017) and Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (2015-2017). Ibrahim Shaheeb, previously Ambassador at Large, replaces the outgoing envoy to India.

Maldives News Network | 1 year, 8 months ago | optimistic

Maldives and Saudi Arabia sign agreement to collaborate in the sports field

Maldives and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to collaborate in the sports sector. The deal was signed by Minister of Sports Abdulla Rafiu and Saudi Minister of Sport Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal in Riyadh. Under the agreement, sports associations and institutions will be trained, sports teams will visit each other, clubs will enhance communication, and they will collaborate on sports medicine, anti-doping, competitions, and investment in the sports industry. Saudi Arabia had previously assisted in developing Maldives' sports industry.

Avas English | 1 year, 8 months ago | optimistic

Maldives and Saudi Arabia discuss strengthening SME collaboration

Discussions were held between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia to enhance collaboration between Maldivian SMEs and Saudi businesses. The meeting took place with Mr. Al-Husseini, Governor of the Saudi Arabian Small and Medium Enterprises Authority (Al-Monsha’at), during Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The Governor briefed Minister Saeed on assistance provided to SMEs. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen relations between Maldivian and Saudi businesses. The Maldivian government has formulated a five-year strategy to foster a creative industry to boost productivity of SMEs and individual creative workers.

Ministry of Economic Development & Trade | 1 year, 8 months ago | optimistic

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade signs an MOU with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Foreign Trade.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Foreign Trade. The press release is available as a PDF. No further details are provided in the text.

Ministry of Economic Development & Trade | 1 year, 8 months ago | optimistic

މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އިކޮނޮމިކް ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އެންޑް ޓްރޭޑާއި، ސަޢޫދީ އަރަބިއްޔާގެ ޖެނެރަލް އޮތޯރިޓީ އޮފް ފޮރިން ޓްރޭޑް އާއިއެކު އެމް.އޯ.ޔޫއެއްގައި ސޮއިކޮށްފި

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade signed an MOU with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Foreign Trade. The press release is available in Dhivehi as a PDF. No further details are provided in the text.

Maldives News Network | 1 year, 8 months ago | optimistic

President Dr Muizzu meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Head of Delegation to UNGA 79 on the sidelines of UNGA 79

President Mohamed Muizzu met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of UNGA79. Muizzu expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia's continuous support and highlighted areas needing further assistance: fiscal reform, education, healthcare, economic development, and Hajj matters. The Saudi Foreign Minister affirmed continued aid and indicated willingness to consider increasing the Hajj quota for the Maldives. Both reaffirmed commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations.

Maldives News Network | 1 year, 9 months ago | optimistic

މަދަނީ ދަތުރުފަތުރުގެ ދައިރާއިން ގުޅުން ބަދަހިކުރުމަށް ވަޒީރު އަމީން ސަޢުދިީއަށް

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen departed for Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. The visit aims to strengthen civil aviation ties, discuss safety and regulatory frameworks.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 9 months ago | positive

FM Zameer Discusses Development Assistance With Saudi Fund

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer met with Sultan bin Abdul Rahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF), on 22 August 2024 to discuss development assistance. Zameer expressed gratitude for past support and discussed expanding assistance to infrastructure and health services. The SDF has provided US$470 million across 16 projects, including water, sewerage, and infrastructure. Recently, the fund allocated an additional US$100 million for Velana International Airport (VIA) development. Zameer also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and presented a letter from President Muizzu to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 9 months ago | optimistic

Maldives FM Meets Saudi Counterpart, Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Ties: MFA

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer met with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Saudi Arabia. Zameer presented a letter from President Mohamed Muizzu to the Saudi Crown Prince. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations through economic and international cooperation. Zameer thanked the Saudi government for its assistance to the Maldives. Zameer arrived in Saudi Arabia after a visit to Bahrain, where he met with leaders and Batelco shareholders. He is scheduled to meet with other Saudi officials and the Saudi Fund for Development.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 9 months ago | urgent

Foreign Minister Heads to Saudi Arabia Amid Reserve Crisis

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer departed for Saudi Arabia carrying a letter from President Mohamed Muizzu to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit comes amid economic strain as US dollar reserves may be exhausted by end of August. The delegation includes MMA Governor Ahmed Munawar. Talks will focus on securing free aid.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 10 months ago | neutral

Islamic Affairs Minister Invites Palestinian Counterpart to Maldives

Islamic Affairs Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed invited Palestinian Minister Mohammed Musthafa Najm to visit the Maldives and deliver a Friday sermon during the ninth Conference of Ministers of Awqafs in Saudi Arabia. The invitation comes amid criticism over Minister Saeed's handling of Israel's assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. The Muizzu administration's statement responding to the assassination lacked explicit mention of Israel or genocide, prompting public discontent. Additionally, Minister Saeed left it to individual imams to decide on funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh, unlike many Arab countries. Observers view the invitation as an attempt to deflect criticism.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | concerned

Saudi Fund Loans Provoke Fierce Debate at Parliament Committee

Parliament Finance Committee debated two loans from Saudi Fund for Development totaling SAR 562.5 million (approx $150M) for health and airport development. The SAR 187.5 million loan will fund three 50-bed hospitals at 2.5% interest, with total interest MVR 41.8 million and servicing MVR 232.6 million, grace five years, repayment 2044. The SAR 375 million loan for Velana International Airport had undisclosed terms. Opposition MP Ahmed Shamheed criticized the lack of impact information, saying the committee cannot stop borrowing. Committee Chair Qasim Ibrahim defended the paper. MPs Ahmed Azaan Marzooq and Ibrahim Sujau supported the administration, with Sujau accusing Shamheed of seeking political advantage. Shamheed also noted an additional $240 million needed for the airport terminal, citing a MACL statement.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | concerned

Maldivian Hajj Pilgrims Criticise Accommodation Arrangements in Mina

Maldivian Hajj pilgrims criticized the accommodation arrangements in Mina, Saudi Arabia, organized by the state-owned Maldives Hajj Corporation. Pilgrims reported overcrowding, with over 500 people in tents meant for 300, and some had to seek refuge in mosques. Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed acknowledged the poor conditions, while Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel admitted inadequate space and pledged improvements. The corporation served 1,149 pilgrims this year.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | positive

President Muizzu Thanks Saudi Arabia for Hajj Arrangements

President Mohamed Muizzu thanked the Saudi Arabian government for organizing the Hajj pilgrimage. In a letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he expressed gratitude and Eid al-Adha wishes. The Maldives received an increased quota of 1,150 pilgrims. The Maldives Hajj Corporation provided enhanced services including tracking devices. Over 1.8 million pilgrims performed Hajj this year.

Maldives Republic | 2 years ago | concerned

Hajj Sermon Urges Pilgrims to Pray for Palestinians Amid Israeli Brutality

Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, urged Hajj pilgrims to pray for Palestinians enduring Israeli brutality since 7 October. Over 1.5 million Muslims ascended Mount Arafat on Saturday. In his sermon at Masjid-e-Nimrah, he highlighted the suffering of Palestinians, scarcity of food and water, and called for prayers. He emphasized justice, integrity, and rejection of corruption. The sermon concluded with an appeal for peace and solidarity. Israeli forces have killed at least 37,296 Palestinians and wounded 85,197 since 7 October, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Maldives Republic | 2 years ago | optimistic

Maldives Seeks to Woo More Saudi Tourists With Participation in Riyadh Travel Fair 2024

The Maldives participated in the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2024 from 27 to 29 May 2024, led by MMPRC with 17 participants from nine tourism companies. The objective was to reinforce the 'Sunny Side of Life' brand in the KSA market, target affluent travelers, and promote various tourism segments. Saudi Arabia is currently ranked 21st in market arrivals to the Maldives. MMPRC outlined future activities including joint campaigns and roadshows.

Avas English | 2 years ago | positive

Maldives Hajj Mission departs for Saudi Arabia ahead of pilgrimage

Maldives Hajj Mission departed for Saudi Arabia to prepare for Hajj. The mission of seven includes a doctor and media personnel. Members listed. Maldives received 1,000 hajj quotas; all but 50 fulfilled by Maldives Hajj Corporation. Remaining 50 for government-sponsored pilgrims selected by lottery, aligning with President Muizzu's pledge. Hajj Day is June 15. First group departs May 31 on Saudi national airline.

Maldives Republic | 2 years ago | positive

President Muizzu Meets With SFD’s Al-Marshad; Hulhumalé Channels and Bridges Inaugurated

President Mohamed Muizzu met with Sultan bin Abdul Rahman Al-Marshad, CEO of Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) on Thursday to discuss expanding Maldives-Saudi relations and ongoing SFD-supported initiatives. Later, Al-Marshad attended inauguration of bridges and channels in Hulhumalé, funded by SFD at US$80 million. The project connects different phases of Hulhumalé and includes channel deepening work. Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, CEO of Housing Development Corporation (HDC), expressed gratitude to SFD. Al-Marshad said the project is a testament to SFD's developmental assistance and highlighted 47-year relationship between Maldives and Saudi Arabia. The bridges and channels have been in use for a couple of years; channel deepening work is ongoing.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 1 month ago | positive

Maldives Secures US$150 Million from SFD for Airport and Healthcare Projects

The Maldives government signed two financing agreements with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) totaling US$150 million on Thursday, 16 May 2024. The funds include $100 million for the expansion of Velana International Airport (VIA) and $50 million for a healthcare sector development project that will establish three hospitals on three islands. Finance Minister Mohamed Shafeeq expressed gratitude for SFD support, and SFD CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad noted that SFD has provided $470 million for 16 projects in the Maldives.