President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said Maldives-Saudi Arabia relations are entering a new chapter, with significant opportunities to expand Saudi investment and economic cooperation across key sectors of the Maldivian economy.
Speaking at a reception marking Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day at Niva Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday evening, President Muizzu identified tourism, infrastructure, housing, healthcare, fisheries, renewable energy and logistics as areas with strong potential for future Saudi investment and development partnerships.
The President said his administration is working to strengthen the Maldives’ investment environment and create conditions for Saudi businesses and investors to play a greater role in the country’s economic transformation.
“We are ready to work with Saudi Arabia not only as a recipient of development assistance, but as a partner in investment, enterprise and shared prosperity,” President Muizzu said.
He said the relationship between the two countries is built on shared Islamic faith and values, mutual respect and longstanding friendship. President Muizzu also thanked Saudi Arabia for decades of development assistance, including support provided following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Saudi assistance has supported major areas including transport, healthcare, fisheries, housing and urban development through the Saudi Fund for Development. The President also highlighted the King Salman Mosque and the Makkah Route Initiative as important symbols of cooperation between the two countries.
President Muizzu praised Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation under King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting progress in economic diversification, innovation, infrastructure and sustainable development.
He also described the signing of the Charter of the Multinational Maritime Defence as another milestone in bilateral cooperation, saying maritime security and safe shipping routes remain particularly important for an island nation such as the Maldives.
The Maldives is also set to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh, which President Muizzu said could open further opportunities in tourism, investment, innovation and people-to-people ties.
President Muizzu attended the reception with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. They were received by Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani.
The President said the Maldives remains ready to work closely with Saudi Arabia at bilateral and multilateral levels to promote peace, stability and prosperity, while addressing challenges facing the Muslim world.
The reception commemorated Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day under this year’s theme, “Our Pride is in Our Nature”.
