Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has inaugurated Ukulhas Tech Fair 2019 and the 13th International Conference on Software, Knowledge, Information Management and Applications (SKIMA) 2019 as Special Envoy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
At the ceremony held in Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Minister Shahid stated building the conference centre will help to empower the community in Ukulhas and the island council to provide vital services to the people of the island. It has been a key focus of administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to empower island communities nationwide.
Speaking further, Minister Abdulla Shahid noted that foreign perception on Maldives had diminished prior to the election of the administration and accordingly, the administration has given precedence in mending broken ties with the international community and improving foreign policy.
Minister Shahid noted India is one of the countries to support the economic development objectives and programmes of the administration and that almost USD 520,000 was allocated towards the construction of the conference centre from a generous grant provided by the Government of India. He also took a moment to remember India's former Minister of External Affairs the late Sushma Swaraj, describing her as a close friend of Maldives, a very warm human being and a key architect of the renewed dynamism in the Maldives-India relationship.
The International Convention Centre established in Ukulhas will be the first of its kind outside Male’ City and Addu City.