1 October, 2005 The President says tourism revenue has allowed to expand and improve the country’s social services including education and healthcare

The President has said that tourism revenue had allowed to expand and improve substantially the country’s social services, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. He made the statement at the Inaugural meeting of the World Islamic Economic Forum held in Malaysia today.

Speaking on the subject, “Promoting Tourism for Development: The Maldives Experience”, the President stated that since 1978, the Government had harnessed the growth of tourism into benefits to the people at large, through prudent public policies which had encouraged private initiative with applied principles of distributive justices.

He said that there were many reasons behind the success of the tourism experience in the Maldives. The President listed that the industry was led by the private sector with the Government providing an enabling environment for development. He also noted the natural wonders, the prevalent peace and stability and the welcoming nature of the people of the country as the secret of success. He further said that implementation of the ongoing sweeping political reforms was expected to greatly benefit tourism and other development activities in the country.

The President said that the fact that the world’s largest hotel chains had established their flag-ship luxury boutique properties in the Maldives was noteworthy of how successful tourism in the country had become.

Noting that the country’s economy relied heavily on tourism and fisheries, and that both industries were extremely volatile to external market shocks, the President listed events such as sharp increases in world petroleum prices, recessions in key European economies, terrorism attacks and natural disasters, as having sudden impacts on the performance of the tourism industry. He said that the tsunami of 26th December last year was one such frightening reality.

The President said that recovery from the tsunami depended on the recovery of the tourism industry and expressed hope that the tourism industry would return to its previous path of steady growth and that the entire economy would follow suit.

Speaking on the second successful ten-year tourism master plan, the President said that the Government’s priorities and strategies had been re-evaluated with more emphasis on developing the sector to contribute more towards achieving the country’s Vision 2020. In this regard, much emphasis had been attached to the training of Maldivians to perform the managerial, mechanical and skill-intensive jobs in the tourism industry.

He further spoke on the importance of broadening the base and mix of tourists and visitors by tapping new and previous under-developed markets and new tourism products. The President also spoke on the ambitious plan to revamp the industry over the next decade enhancing the linkage between the tourism sector and other key economic sectors to reduce the amount of revenue leakage and the importance of spreading tourism and its benefits to regional growth centres.

In his welcome remarks the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Musa Hitam, noted that President Gayoom was the most capable Islamic leader to speak on the development of tourism.

Following the President’s address, participants of the Forum presented questions to the President. Among the questions asked were how the Maldives had managed to keep the country’s cultures and traditions as an asset rather an impediment in the development of tourism and questions on financing sources for investment in the tourism industry.

Participants of the Forum also spoke on the natural beauty of the Maldives and noted that the efforts of the Government and the private sector were lessons for others in the industry.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

1 October, 2005 CFTC Commended for Contribution to Development

Commonwealth Finance Ministers met in Barbados on 18-20 September 2005.

Commonwealth Finance Ministers have expressed their appreciation for the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC) programme of assistance in areas of debt management, trade development and investment promotion, as well as in governance, public sector development, gender equality and human development, and in addressing anti-money laundering issues.

In their Communiqué released on 20 September 2005 in Barbados following the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, they expressed concern at the progressive decline in the real resources of the CFTC over the years and noted that this was affecting its ability to assist member countries, especially small states and least developed countries, to attain the Millennium Development Goals by supporting pro-poor policies for economic growth and sustainable development.

There was wide support for Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon's call on all member governments to increase contributions to the CFTC by 6 per cent per annum in real terms for each of the next five years.

In his address to the Finance Ministers on 19 September 2005, the Secretary-General said: "What is required over the next few years is not an incremental but a sizeable increase in contributions to the CFTC to ensure that the Fund remains viable, credible, and effective in tackling developing country needs in the Commonwealth."

Mr McKinnon said he was encouraged that some member countries have already pledged considerable increases above the targeted rise of 6 per cent each year in their contributions to CFTC.

Source: Commonwealth Secretariat, London, United Kingdom

11 October, 2005 The President calls Pakistani President to extend condolences following the recent earthquake in Pakistan

The President this morning called President General Pervez Musharraf to extend profound sympathy and condolences, on behalf of the Government and the people of Maldives, following the death and devastation caused by the recent earthquake that hit Pakistan.

The President said that he had learnt of the news of the earthquake with shock and sadness and extended his sincere condolences to the families of the thousands of victims who had lost their lives in the disaster. He further added that the Special Advisor to the President, Mr. Fathulla Jameel, will be travelling to Pakistan shortly as his Special Envoy to hand over a donation towards the humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan. He noted that the donation was symbolic of the close friendly relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, and highlighted the tremendous support and timely assistance that Pakistan had extended to the Maldives, after every national tragedy.

The Pakistani President thanked the President for the sincere condolences. He also thanked the President on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan for the donation and expressed pleasure at the Government’s decision to send a Special Envoy to the country.

President Musharraf also briefed the President on the ongoing relief efforts in Pakistan to help the victims of the disaster.

The Government of Maldives has decided to make a donation of Thirty Thousand United States Dollars towards humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan following the devastation caused by the recent South Asian earthquake.

On 8 October 2005 the President had sent a message of sympathy to President Musharraf, following the reports of the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Pakistan.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

13 October, 2005 Executive Directors appointed at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of External Resources

Mr. Hussain Shareef and Dr. Hussain Niyaz have been appointed as Executive Directors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of External Resources, respectively.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

14 October, 2005 Acting High Commissioner meets the British Red Cross

File Photo: High Commissioner H.E. Hassan Sobir with Mr. Phil Talbot, Director of Communications Mr. Mike Goodhand, International Aid, Ms. Vendela Fortune, Programme Development Adviser, International Division and Ms. Inmaculada Lopez del la Cova Pena, Desk Officer, South Asia of the British Red Cross and Mr. Adam Hassan

London: Mr. Alastair Burnett, Desk Officer, East and South East Asia, International Aid Department and Mrs. Razmi Farook, Operation Officer for Maldives/ Sri Lanka at the British Red Cross called on the Acting High Commissioner Mr. Adam Hassan.

On this quarterly catch up meeting with the British Red Cross team, they briefed Mr. Adam Hassan on the current status of the reconstruction projects carried out in the Tsunami affected islands in the Maldives. The Team also informed Mr. Adam Hassan on the targets and challenges of the British Red Cross to provide shelters/safe houses and livelihood for the victims of the Tsunami disaster.

Mr. Adam Hassan thanked British Red Cross for their valuable assistance and for providing update on their work in the Maldives.

Speaking on the recovery plus programmes of the Government of Maldives, Mr. Adam Hassan noted that there was a financing gap of US $ 113 million needed, as additional assistance from donors for the national recovery programme. He also said the High Commission will be most pleased to offer any assistance to the British Red Cross in coordinating with the appropriate authority for the implementation of the reconstruction projects.

Ms. Iruthisham Adam, First Secretary of the High Commission also participated in the meeting.

19 October, 2005 NEW IMMIGRATION RULES FOR PEOPLE STAYING IN THE UK FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS

Tony McNulty MP, Minister of State at the Home Office, today announced a new entry clearance requirement for people coming to the UK for more than six months.

From 13 November 2005, all nationals from non EEA member states who wish to come to the UK for more than six months will need to obtain an entry clearance from a British diplomatic mission before travelling.

A one-off cost of £85.00 will enable the traveller, once entry clearance has been obtained, to stay for the full period without having to apply for a residence permit (unless they wish to change or extend their stay).

Use this link to see read more about the changes and to see a list of the additional countries that will need entry clearance from November: New entry clearance requirements - Q&A

Notes for Editors

The new entry clearance arrangements have been introduced in stages over a two year period. The first stage came into force on 13 November 2003 and involved ten nationalities.

British Nationals (Overseas) and other categories of British nationals without the right of abode in the UK will continue to be able to travel without entry clearance and apply on arrival.

As with the first phase, there will be a “grace period” which will operate until 13 Janury 2006 during which time any passenger arriving at a UK port who qualifies for entry but who does not have the necessary entry clearance will be admitted.

The change to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliament in the autumn. Use this link to go to the Immigation Rules: Immigration Rules

Source: UK Visas

25 October, 2005 MALDIVES HIGH COMMISSION HOSTS IFTHAR FOR MALDIVIAN STUDENTS

The High Commission of Maldives hosted a “Roadha Veelun” – an “Iftaar" for the Maldivian students living in the United Kingdom on Saturday, 22 October 2005, to celebrate the traditional culture of Maldivians in the Holy month of Ramal”an.

The event was attended by students and their families living in various regions of the United Kingdom and the Staff of the High Commission. The breaking of the fast was followed by Magrib Prayers in Jamaa-ath led by Mr Ali Haidar Ahmed, a PhD student.
After the meal, the Acting Commissioner Mr. Adam Hassan introduced himself and gave a brief speech to members. He thanked all the students for attending the function. The event provided an opportunity for the newly arrived Maldivian students, students continuing their studies in the United Kingdom and the staff at the High Commission to meet and discuss issues of concern.

On behalf of the students, Vice-Chairperson of Maldivian Students Association (MSA-UK) thanked Mr. Adam Hassan and all the staff of the High Commission for hosting the Ifthaar.
30 October, 2005 Mr. Ibrahim Shaheed Zaki appointed as Ambassador Mr. Ibrahim Shaheed Zaki appointed as Ambassador The President today appointed

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives