Maldives Student Association – UK has elected its Chairperson and the office bearers of the Central Committee at its Annual General Meeting held in London on 30 December 2005. The composition of the new Central Committee is as follows:

Chairperson: Aishath Ali Naaz

Vice-Chairperson: Mohamed Razeem

Secretary: Jawish Hameed

Treasurer: Abdulla Muththalib

Student Advisor: Ismail Shafeeu

The Government of the Maldives warmly welcomes this week’s decision by the European Parliament to approve legislation paving the way for the Maldives to receive a €50 million loan to help the country’s post-tsunami reconstruction efforts.

On January 17th, the 732 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted decisively in favour of including the Maldives in the list of countries that can benefit from the European Investment Bank’s Permanent Loan Facility. The European Parliament’s vote, once confirmed by the Finance Ministers of the 25 EU Member States (expected during February), will allow the EIB to begin delivering a €50 million loan, already earmarked for the Maldives. The loan, designed to help the Maldives’ post-tsunami recovery effort, will focus in particular on supporting the country’s tourism industry.

The European Parliament’s vote follows hot on the heels of the decision by the EU and other key members of the international community, announced in December of last year, to include “addressing the reconstruction funding gap facing the Maldives” among their 2006 tsunami priority considerations. The EIB loan also builds on EU post-tsunami aid of €17.8 million.

Speaking after the European Parliament’s vote, H.E. Hassan Sobir, Maldives’ Ambassador to the EU, said:

“This week’s vote is excellent news and demonstrates the increasingly positive nature of EU-Maldives relations.”

“I am confident that this money, once delivered, will make a big difference to our reconstruction effort. The loan is particularly good news for our tourism industry, such a key part of our national economy”.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the draftsman of the European Parliament’s report on the EIB loan, Mr. Esko Seppänen MEP, for the timely manner in which he and his colleagues have dealt with the dossier.”

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


23 January, 2006 Mr. Ali Niyaz - the Senior Legal Officer at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation – passes away Mr. Ali Niyaz, the Senior Legal Officer at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, has passed away early this morning. He passed away while receiving emergency treatment at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. He was 34.

On receiving the sad news of Mr. Ali Niyaz’s sudden death, the President visited the New Cemetery in Male’ to pay his respects to the deceased and to extend his personal condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

Mr. Ali Niyaz, who was educated at the University of London, was a qualified lawyer. He had served at the Tourism Ministry throughout his years in the civil service.

The late Mr. Ali Niyaz is survived by a seven-year-old son.

Funeral prayers on the deceased were held following Asru prayers today at Bandaara mosque.

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

Click "here" to read related news on the Maldivian Students' Association (MSA) UK website.


23 January, 2006 “Drawing the Wave – Maldivian school children draw tsunami”

“Drawing the Wave – Maldivian children draw tsunami” an exhibition depicting the waves of the Boxing Day Asian Tsunami 2004 was inaugurated in the “oil capital” of Norway, Stavanger. The exhibition was officially opened by the High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom and Ambassador of Maldives to European Union, H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir.

This exhibition shows drawings by school children of two islands in the Maldives namely, Meedhoo in Dh. Atoll and Burunee in Thaa Atoll. The exhibition was visited by school children from Stavanger in Norway in the morning of 18 January 2006. This exhibition was organised by Mrs. Ragni Afeef who lived in the Maldives in the early 80s as a UN expert preparing educational material.

In the evening, a reception was held and the County Mayor and Vice Mayor together with a large cross-section of the society, representing multi-cultural people visited the Children’s Museum where the exhibition was hosted. Mrs. Ragni Afeef made a presentation, and curious students raised questions about Maldivian children who lost their parents.

25 January, 2006 High Commission of Maldives files Report on the wellbeing of the Maldivian serving his prison sentence in Bulgaria On 12 January 2006, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Adam Hassan met Maldivian national, Mr. Khalid Abdul Raheem at the Sofia Prison. Mr. Khalid Abdul Raheem had been arrested on 2 January 2005 and detained by the Bulgaria authorities for the offence of drug-trafficking.

During this consular visit, Mr. Adam Hassan inquired on the well being of Mr. Khalid Abdul Raheem and details of his sentence. According to the information from Bulgaria Prison authorities, on 26 August 2005, Mr. Khalid Abdul Raheem had been sentenced to Prison for 14 years.

Report filed on the consular visit has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives.


25 January, 2006 Mrs. Toni de Laroque – recipient of the Special Award for outstanding public service for 2005 – received her award from the President

The President presenting the Special Award to Mrs. de Laroque

Mrs. Toni de Laroque, who was among the first three foreign nationals to receive the Special Award for outstanding services to the Maldives at last year’s official function to mark Republic Day, has collected her award from the President. Briton Mrs. de Laroque received her Special Award at a ceremony held at the President’s Office today, as she was unable to attend the official Republic Day function held on 20th November.

The President highlighted that Mrs. de Laroque had earned the Special Award in recognition of her outstanding services in promoting the Maldivian tourism industry abroad. He thanked Mrs. de Laroque for her long-standing and dedicated efforts towards the development of the tourism sector in the Maldives.

Mrs. de Laroque said that she was greatly delighted to have received the prestigious national award and thanked the Maldivian Government for granting her this great honour. She said that the award was a great boost to her in her continued services in promoting the Maldives’ tourism product in the British market.

The Minister at the President’s Office, Ms Aneesa Ahmed gave a formal introduction of Mrs. de Laroque and her achievements and services in the tourism industry during this afternoon’s ceremony.

Mrs. de Laroque first visited the Maldives as a tourist, back in 1980. Her services towards the development of the Maldivian tourism industry over the years had earned her the name of ‘The Maldivian Lady’.

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


27 January, 2006 High Commissioner Sobir attends the 30th Anniversary Celebrations
of Islamic Development Bank

Thirtieth Anniversary of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was celebrated on Thursday January 26, 2006 at the Landmark Hotel in London. The celebrations marks the 30 years of Human Development, the success story of the IDB in contributing to poverty alleviation, promoting intra-trade and investment amongst its member countries; and promoting the Islamic banking industry both in member countries and globally.

Key note Address to mark the occasion of the Bank’s 30th Anniversary was given by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles. At this event, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, President of the IDB, H.E. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop, Second Finance Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Bader Mishari Al Humaidhi, Minister of Finance, Kuwait and Chairman of the Board of Governors of IDB as well as Speakers from members of IDB delivered statements.

High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom, HE. Mr. Hassan Sobir attended the celebrations to represent Maldives. Through Maldives’ membership in IDB, Maldives has played an active role in promoting the special needs of Least Developed Countries (LDC).


30 January, 2006 Maldives Takes Over Number One Spot: Kuoni UK

Sue Biggs - Kuoni UK, Managing Director

Kuoni UK, Managing Director, Ms. Sue Biggs writes in their “Review of 2005 and a look forward to 2006”

The Battle between Maldives and Thailand to be Number One continued neck and neck during 2005, in fact so close was the competition that they swapped positions several times during the course of the year. It is great testament to the Maldives that they fought back from such a tough year and took back the Top Number 1 spot from Thailand, a position they last held in 2003, having taken it once again from Thailand (who has held it for the six previous years).

The secret to the return of the Maldives? The beaches and crystal clear waters are out of this world. The service is consistently excellent, there is a great choice of three, four and luxury five star resorts to suit everyone – and a constant drive to launch new and exciting products ranging from underwater spas and restaurants to desert-island hideaways. Quite simply the Maldives offers the dream holiday for every beach lover. A concerted effort between ourselves, the tourist board and hotels has paid off and with these continually high standards, we’re delighted to toast the success of this beautiful island nation.

Source: KUONI: Longhaul Report 2006 – A Review of the Longhaul Market for 2005 and into 2006

The High Commissioner and Staff congratulates the partners in travel tourism who worked so hard to make this happen!


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