The Netherlands has expressed the interest of Dutch private sector companies in investing in the Maldives. Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Maldives Bonnie Horbach made the statement during a meeting after presenting her credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
During the meeting, President Solih congratulated her on her new appointment and discussed ways to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries. The president expressed hope that the Dutch government would consider easing visa requirements for Maldivians. He also spoke about expanding cooperation in the fisheries sector and expressed hope of reducing tariffs levied on Maldivian fisheries exports.
President Solih and Ambassador Horbach also discussed ways to increase training and higher education opportunities for Maldivian students and other areas of mutual interest, including tourism, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and regional security. The ambassador expressed the interest of Dutch private sector companies in investing in the Maldives.
In conclusion, President Solih and Ambassador Horbach expressed hope for renewed and strengthened ties between the two countries under her tenure.