Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated the Maldives should always be a welcoming country and strengthen relations with other countries. He made these remarks while speaking at a special ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shahid said that there are standards and rules that should be followed towards other countries and tourists coming to the Maldives while tourism is the most important industry of the economy in the country. He said the Maldives should always remain a welcoming country and strengthen relations with other countries. As such, he said that any discrimination against individuals on the basis of race or nationality would be a major obstacle to the tourism industry in the Maldives.
Additionally, Minister Shahid congratulated MTDC on its efforts to expand tourism in the country over the past 15 years. He mentioned the efforts made by the company to ensure that its shareholders did not face financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the ceremony, Minister Shahid launched the new logo and website of MTDC and inaugurated its new head office development project. The new office building will be developed in an area of more than 6,000sqm in front of Central Park in Hulhumale'. The practical work of the building is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of the year. The building is scheduled to be completed and officially opened by the end of 2024.