In a demonstration of enduring friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and the State of Kuwait, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received Mr Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, Acting Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), for a courtesy call at the President’s Office on 26th July 2025, Saturday afternoon.
Mr Al-Bahar’s visit to the Maldives coincided with two major national events: the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence and the inauguration of the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), a key infrastructure milestone in the country’s continued efforts to enhance connectivity and bolster tourism. Expressing his sincere appreciation, President Dr Muizzu extended a warm welcome to Mr Al-Bahar and his delegation and thanked them for their presence at both the Independence Day celebrations and the VIA terminal opening. Mr Al-Bahar, in turn, shared his delight at being part of these national events, describing it as a great honour to witness the celebrations and milestones of a longstanding partner country.
The meeting provided a productive platform for high-level discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation in several priority areas, including economic development, healthcare, renewable energy, and fisheries. These sectors are pivotal to the Maldives’ national development agenda and align with the Maldives’ vision for sustainable growth and social wellbeing. President Muizzu acknowledged the historical and ongoing contributions of the Kuwait Fund to the socio-economic advancement of the Maldives, including its support for key development projects that have shaped infrastructure and service delivery across the island nation.
Founded in 1961, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has played a critical role in extending financial and technical assistance to developing countries. The Maldives has been a recipient of such support since the establishment of formal ties with Kuwait, with collaborative projects spanning sectors such as transportation, energy, and public health.
At the close of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the bond between the Maldives and Kuwait. They agreed to further explore strategic partnerships that reinforce mutual values and shared aspirations, ensuring that the relationship continues to evolve in ways that benefit the people of both nations.
The visit of Mr Al-Bahar during this celebratory period served not only as a gesture of diplomatic goodwill but also as a reaffirmation of Kuwait’s enduring friendship and development partnership with the Maldives. The presence of the Kuwait Fund leadership at such an important time underscores the mutual respect and cooperation that continues to define the Maldives-Kuwait relationship.
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