Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office on 26th July 2025, Saturday afternoon, reaffirming nearly five decades of robust cooperation and expressing keen interest in expanding development assistance in key sectors.
The meeting took place during Dr Alkhalifa’s official visit to the Maldives, where he and his delegation participated in two major national events: the celebrations of the 60th Independence Day and the inauguration of the new terminal at Velana International Airport. President Dr Muizzu warmly welcomed the OFID delegation, extending heartfelt gratitude for their presence at these historic national milestones. He emphasized that OFID’s participation in these events underscored the strong and enduring relationship between the Maldives and the OPEC Fund.
Dr Alkhalifa conveyed his appreciation for the invitation, noting his honour at witnessing the Independence Day festivities and attending the formal opening of the new airport terminal, a vital project supported by OFID. He praised the country’s achievements in infrastructure development and reiterated the OPEC Fund’s continued commitment to supporting the Maldives’ socio-economic growth.
In their discussions, President Dr Muizzu expressed sincere appreciation for OFID’s financial and technical support over the years, particularly for the Velana International Airport development project, which plays a central role in strengthening the Maldives’ tourism-driven economy. The President acknowledged OFID’s instrumental role in enhancing connectivity and tourism capacity, which are essential for national progress.
The meeting also opened the door to exploring new areas of collaboration. Both parties exchanged views on broadening the development agenda to include climate change adaptation, renewable energy, water and sanitation services, and wider infrastructure initiatives. Given the Maldives’ unique geographic vulnerabilities and environmental challenges, the President highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure and sustainable development solutions.
Dr Alkhalifa reaffirmed the OPEC Fund’s dedication to supporting the Maldives’ development goals and enhancing bilateral cooperation. He noted that the OPEC Fund has stood by the Maldives for nearly 50 years, contributing to projects that drive inclusive and sustainable development. He further assured President Dr Muizzu of OFID’s readiness to expand support in alignment with the Maldives’ national development priorities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both leaders acknowledging the strength of the partnership and expressing shared enthusiasm for advancing future initiatives to benefit the Maldivian people.
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