The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid (O.D.R.M.D), paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office during his official visit to the Maldives. The visit, which coincided with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day and the inauguration of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, further strengthened the Maldives’ development and diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Al-Murshid, who travelled to the Maldives as part of the Saudi delegation, conveyed his deep honour in participating in two nationally important events: the historic Independence Day celebrations and the official opening of the airport’s new terminal, a key infrastructure milestone for the nation’s thriving tourism sector. He emphasized the pride of the Saudi Royal Court in supporting the airport project and affirmed that the progress of the terminal’s construction had been closely followed by the Kingdom throughout.
During the meeting, President Dr. Muizzu warmly welcomed Mr. Al-Murshid and the visiting delegation, expressing appreciation for their participation in the national celebrations. The President extended heartfelt gratitude to the Saudi Fund for Development for its long-standing cooperation and financial contributions to major national development projects, especially the airport expansion project which is expected to enhance Maldives’ global air connectivity and elevate the visitor experience.
The newly inaugurated terminal at Velana International Airport stands as one of the largest and most advanced infrastructure projects in the Maldives. It significantly expands the airport’s capacity to accommodate the increasing number of international travellers—a vital enhancement given that tourism accounts for nearly 30% of the country’s GDP and over 60% of its foreign exchange earnings. The support of the Saudi Fund for Development in realising this expansion reflects the strong partnership between the two nations in advancing sustainable development.
In addition to reflecting on past collaborations, both parties explored a broad range of potential future cooperation in vital sectors such as housing, fisheries, and healthcare, areas identified as key pillars of the Muizzu administration’s development agenda. These discussions signal a commitment to expand the scope of bilateral support and create meaningful opportunities for Maldivians through strengthened infrastructure and public services.
The CEO’s visit not only celebrated shared achievements but also reinforced Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the Maldives’ socio-economic development. The Maldives and Saudi Arabia enjoy a deeply rooted relationship based on mutual trust, cultural affinity, and shared aspirations for growth and prosperity.
As the Maldives continues to expand its tourism infrastructure and diversify its development initiatives, strategic partnerships like that with the Saudi Fund for Development play an instrumental role in accelerating progress. The recent high-level discussions between President Muizzu and CEO Al-Murshid are expected to usher in a new phase of cooperation, aligning with both countries’ visions for regional collaboration and economic advancement.
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