The governments of the Maldives and India have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for eight projects undertaken under the Indian grant assistance scheme for High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) through local bodies.
The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 21. The MoUs were signed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and the High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir.
In his remarks delivered at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid highlighted that the projects launched under the MoUs will contribute significantly to socio-economic development, livelihood activity, conservation of environmental and cultural heritage, empowerment of women and child welfare and skills development. Minister Shahid also emphasised the continued support and assistance in various forms received from the Government of India for the socio-economic development of Maldives.
The projects launched under the MoUs signed on October 21 are worth a total grant of USD 2.3 million. The projects include the acquisition of two sea ambulances; strengthening inclusive education support units in three schools in the atolls; development of an ice plant in Maabaidhoo, Laamu Atoll; Olympus hall upgrading project; construction of a multi-purpose council building in Miladhoo, Noonu Atoll; construction of Dhangethi Cultural Centre and installation of street lights in Thimarafushi and Veymandoo in Thaa Atoll.
The overarching Memorandum of Understanding on Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through local bodies, was initially signed between the governments of the Maldives and India on March 17, 2019 for grant of USD 5.5 million and renewed with an increment up to USD 10 million Rufiya on July 23, 2021.