Japan provides 380 m yen as food aid grant

Japanese government has decided to provide 380 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rf. 49 million) as food aid grant to the Maldives. The Exchange of Notes between the Governments of Japan and Maldives was signed on March 19, 2009 at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo foreign ministry has revealed.

Charge’d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan accredited to Maldives Kaoru Shimazaki, signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the government of Japan and Maldives High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Ali Hussain Didi, signed on behalf of the Maldives Government. For the implementation of the Food Aid, a Grant Agreement was also signed between the Government of Maldives and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement was signed on behalf of the Maldives government by Ali Hussain Didi, Maldives High Commissioner and by Chief JICA Representative Dr. Atsushi Kaneko.

Food aid provided under grant aid scheme by the Government of Japan which will be utilized to purchase wheat flour plays a vital role in ensuring food security in the Maldives. Owing to the fact that land suitable for agriculture in the Maldives is less than 10 percent of the total land area all of the country’s staple food, including wheat flour, is imported. For the past 7 years, the wheat flour made available under this grant is approximately 30 percent of the total flour consumed in the Maldives.

The Government of Maldives sells the wheat flour to the general public through an agent, and the proceeds (equivalent to at least two thirds of the value) are utilized for economic and social development projects in the Maldives.

The Government of Japan has been providing food aid to the Maldives annually since 1981. Apart from food aid, the Government of Japan also extends assistance towards socio-economic development of the Maldives, such as construction of Seawall around Male’, Schools in Male’ and other islands as well as rehabilitation of Tsunami affected islands.

Maldives plans $3b investments

Dubai: The Maldives Tourism office is attracting investors to develop 60 of its exotic islands in projects worth $3 billion.

Dr Ahmad Ali Sawad, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said the government is focusing on four main areas, including facility development, training, medium-grade resorts and the diversification of tourism products such as eco-tourism to support the country's development.

"Since the 1980s, after entrepreneurs started entering the country, we experienced a steady rise in tourism, which has now become a major factor contributing to the economy," said Sawad.

In developing the islands within the next few years, smaller communities will be able to thrive and sustain themselves. At least 9,000 extra bed spaces will be developed, hundreds of jobs will be created and community-based tourism will help preserve local culture and heritage. Development of its international airport at Hulhule is also expected to improve capacity and services.

Although the Maldives is fundamentally considered to be a luxury high-end destination, Sawad believes catering to the average traveller will boost the tourism industry further.

"Let's face it: we are in a crisis at the moment during which time outgoing traffic is slowing down," he said "However, we feel we have a unique offering and will focus more on small and medium accommodation to cater to budget travellers."

Promotional campaigns that aim to attract a higher number of visitors from the Middle East will also be put into place soon. At the moment, travellers from the region make up less than two per cent, with the highest number of travellers being from the UK. That group is followed by Italy, Germany and China and Russia.

"It is as good a time as any to attract more Middle Eastern travellers when a substantial number of routes are offered," added Sawad.

"Still, we are looking at better access to the region through further direct routes, applying consistent exposure and a marketing campaign that pushes brand awareness."

The government foresees that with a rise in visitor numbers, there will be a huge demand for a more efficient transport system linking the islands.

DRP won 28 parliamentary seats, while the ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was able to secure 26 seats

The main opposition, Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) has secured most number of seats in the historic parliamentary elections held on Saturday, according to Provisional Results announced by the Elections Commission on Tuesday night.

DRP won 28 parliamentary seats, while the ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was able to secure 26 seats. DRP allied People’s Alliance (PA) won 7 seats and Dhivehi Qaumee Party won 2 seats. Jumhoory Party, the party of the billionaire politician Qasim Ibrahim, won just one seat. The Provisional Results shows that the coalition of DRP and PA won 35 seats and is more likely to succeed in forming a majority voting bloc with the support of independent candidates.

However, 39 seats are needed to secure a majority voting bloc in the 77 seat parliament formed under the revised constitution ratified on August 2008. As such no party has won a clear cut majority and the fight for the independent candidates has become more crucial than ever in determining where the balance of power will lie, as both parties will now lobby hard to get them in order to secure a majority voting bloc.

According to the Provincial Results, 7 out of 11 seats of Male’ went to MDP while the other 4 seats went to DRP. In Addu atoll, out of the 6 parliamentary seats, DRP secured 2 seats, MDP 3 seats and Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) one seat. In Ha atoll, out of the 5 parliamentary seats allocated to the atoll, MDP won 4 seats while DRP won one seat. Out of the 4 parliamentary seats of Raa atoll, 3 seats went to DRP and the other seat went to an Independent candidate. DRP also secured the 2 seats of Alif Alif atoll and 2 seats of Vaavu atoll. 4 parliamentary seats of Laamu atoll went to PA and 2 seats of Meemu atoll also went to PA. 2 seats of Dhaalu atoll was secured by Independent candidates.

When the new parliament convenes, the first and fore most would be appointing top officials to the independent institutions. In most cases, names are proposed by the president, which is then endorsed by parliament. This would be daunting task for the government, without a parliamentary voting majority.

Speaking to media on Sunday, Deputy Leader of DRP, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has said his party is confident of winning majority of seats in parliament. Thasmeen, who won the Baa atoll Kendhoo seat, said initial results show that the combined victories of DRP, People’s Alliance (PA) and the party’s endorsed independent candidates will give his party a majority.

President Nasheed: Democracy was victorious in general elections

The Parliamentary elections held in Maldives last Saturday proved an important exercise towards consolidating democracy in the Maldives, President Mohamed Nasheed has said. He made the statement in a press release issued by the President’s Office on Wednesday and added that democracy was therefore the victor in the general elections.

Noting that the arresting of key political figures for politically motivated reasons during periods of regime change and elections in the past had been the biggest obstruction for establishing good governance, the President expressed his pleasure for having been able to hold the parliamentary elections without recourse to such actions.

President Nasheed also noted that the general elections showed that the confidence of the people and opposition parties in multiparty democracy had increased. He therefore thanked and congratulated the people for their participation in the process and underlined the fact that key figures from the opposition had contested in the elections, which demonstrated such confidence and trust in the democratic system. He also congratulated the DRP and PA for their success.

Highlighting that the Saturday’s parliamentary elections were the most free and fair elections held so far in the Maldives, President Nasheed assured that the government would facilitate opposition parties to fulfill their important role in democratic politics.

In the media release, President Nasheed also congratulated the Maldivian Democratic Party and noted that elections showed the public support for MDP had increased since the runoff of the presidential election last October when it contested in an alliance.

President Nasheed further said that he believed the results of the elections showed the level of confidence that the people have in multiparty political system. The President said that the government would continue with development projects in an equitable manner without discrimination in respect of different political affiliations.