Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has revealed the previous administration spent 1.753 million US dollars for international trips.
Speaking at the parliament, Foreign Minister Shahid said the current administration conducts all affairs transparently. In this regard, the foreign minister said the previous administration worked in secret, adding last year alone government officials spent 1.753 million US dollars for international trips. He revealed most of the trips were made in an attempt to deliver national development projects, noting the trips did not provide any significant outcome.
However, the foreign minister revealed the current administration has spent less than 500-thousand US dollars for several different international trips, revealing the country has benefited from the endeavours,
Since assuming office last November, Minister Shahid has travelled to 17 countries, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the trips, the foreign minister met representatives from 74 countries, including 5 presidents, 6 prime ministers, 32 foreign ministers, 48 ambassadors and other senior officials from 28 countries.