President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has concluded a successful state visit to Singapore, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with one of its most longstanding regional partners. The visit, which took place at the invitation of His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, marked a key milestone in diplomatic relations as both nations celebrated 50 years of formal diplomatic engagement.
In a message posted on his official X account, President Dr Muizzu expressed deep gratitude to President Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, the Government of Singapore, and its people for the warm hospitality extended during the visit. He noted that the outcomes of the visit, including the signing of several strategic agreements had laid the foundation for a renewed era of cooperation in education, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu engaged in high-level discussions with President Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Wong. The talks centred on enhancing collaboration in capacity building, renewable energy, vocational training, and public sector development. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, including:
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An agreement on environment and sustainability between the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
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An MoU between the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Singapore and the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives, focusing on higher education, technical and vocational training, and research.
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A capacity-building partnership between the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and the Maldives’ Ministry of Finance and Planning, aimed at improving the institutional performance of Maldivian state-owned enterprises through study visits and consultancy services.
Additionally, two major agreements were finalised: one with Henley & Partners to launch a Residence by Investment Programme, and another with APM SPV Pvt. Ltd. for the development of Project Solar City, the Maldives’ first Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which includes a 100 MW floating solar PV system, logistics and industrial hubs, and MICE tourism infrastructure.
To commemorate the 50-year milestone, President Dr Muizzu presented a commemorative book to President Shanmugaratnam documenting five decades of Maldives–Singapore diplomatic and economic relations. The two leaders also jointly unveiled commemorative stamps, symbolising the historic friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
A major feature of the visit was the Maldives–Singapore Business Forum, where President Dr Muizzu recognised notable individuals and companies for their contribution to strengthening commercial partnerships between the two countries. The forum attracted over 200 participants and served as a platform to promote investment opportunities aligned with the Government’s Vision 2040, a strategy focused on achieving developed nation status through diversification, green innovation, and institutional strengthening.
President Dr Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed also met with members of the Maldivian community living in Singapore, offering a platform to listen to their experiences and emphasise their role in representing the Maldives abroad.
The itinerary included visits to several leading Singaporean institutions, such as the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Singapore Food Agency, Tuas Port, and the Peranakan Museum, all of which provided valuable insights into Singapore’s expertise in urban planning, food security, maritime logistics, and heritage conservation.
In his closing remarks, President Dr Muizzu expressed confidence that the partnerships formed and agreements signed during the visit would translate into tangible benefits for the Maldivian people. “This visit has deepened our shared vision and reaffirmed our joint commitment to long-term cooperation,” he noted.
The state visit concluded with a renewed sense of purpose to elevate Maldives–Singapore relations through mutual respect, practical collaboration, and shared development objectives.
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