Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamed Asim has stated that providing assistance to Maldivians who travel abroad is one of the fundamental sectors focused by the administration of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The minister highlighted that providing consular services is one of the core foreign policies of the government, speaking on the first episode of PSM News's talk show "Maldives Today",
He added that the prime focus is to the countries which play host to dense population of Maldivians such as; India, Sri-Lanka and Malaysia.
"If we look at Sri-Lanka, we have over course of president Yamin's term we have established cultural and Education Centre in Colombo which is in former embassy building. We have been engaged in local community to also promote our culture and host national events." Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamed Asim said
Noting that India is a country Maldivians prefer both in for seeking education and healthcare, the minister noted various new facilities has been established in various states of India for the comfort of the Maldivians. The Minister stressed on the establishment of the Consulate of the Maldives in India's Thiruvananthapuram, as the city has a dense Maldivian population. The minister highlighted the government's pipeline plans to provide Maldivians who travel abroad with comfort and leisure."We are working with Malaysia to set up a cultural centre in Malaysia and we are having discussion at government to government level in terms of logistics of it and in terms of various other issues that can come. So we are hoping that we will be able to come up with center even in Malaysia." Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamed Asim said. Goal 5 of the Foreign Policy Strategies of Maldives is providing quality consular services for Maldivians.