20 MoUs signed between Pakistan and Maldives, agreement to increase trade from 1.34 lakh dollars to 200 million dollars

Prime Minister announces giving one lakh olive plants, one lakh seeds and more scholarships to students to Maldives

Islamabad: 20 MoUs were signed between Pakistan and Maldives, agreement was made to increase trade from 1.34 lakh dollars to 200 million dollars, Prime Minister announced to provide one lakh olive plants and one lakh seeds to Maldives.

Meeting was held between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at Prime Minister House Islamabad and later high-level delegation-level meeting was also held between both countries. Prime Minister welcomed President of Maldives on arrival at Prime Minister House and guard of honor ceremony was held in his honor. President Muizzu inspected guard of honor and also planted a plant as memorial at Prime Minister House. During talks both leaders reviewed bilateral relations of Pakistan and Maldives and exchanged views on regional and global affairs.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated determination to further strengthen long-standing brotherly relations with Maldives and continue cooperation in its national development priorities. Special importance was given to economic cooperation in talks. Both leaders agreed to increase bilateral trade, investment, tourism, food security, medicines and partnership between private sectors.

Both leaders emphasized need to improve air and sea connectivity and hold meeting of Joint Economic Commission soon. Prime Minister and President of Maldives set target to increase bilateral trade from current 1 million 34 lakh dollars to 200 million dollars in next two years.

Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's readiness to supply essential food items and medicines to Maldives. He said that this supply will be made possible through direct arrangements between both governments.

Prime Minister announced to give 20 more undergraduate scholarships every year for students of Maldives. He also reiterated Pakistan's commitment for cooperation in health sector, vocational training and capacity building of institutions. Under President of Maldives' "Five Million Trees Planting Initiative", Prime Minister announced that Pakistan will provide one lakh olive plants and one lakh seeds of various plants during next 12 months. Their supply will be done according to seasonal availability of relevant plants.

Pakistan will send its experts to Maldives, who will help in establishing plant nurseries there. Through this cooperation, help will be provided in preparing total 10 lakh plants in three years.

While talking on regional and global affairs, both leaders reiterated commitment to peace, dialogue, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law. Prime Minister appreciated Maldives' principled stance on issue of Palestine. He also presented Pakistan's stance regarding Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Indus Waters Treaty and regional security situation.

Both leaders witnessed exchange of 20 memorandums of understanding for cooperation in various sectors. These memorandums cover sectors including health, education, technical training, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, fisheries, defense, maritime security, law enforcement agencies, civil service, social protection, culture and youth among other sectors.

During joint media talk, both leaders expressed satisfaction over results of meeting and emphasized that timely implementation of agreements be ensured so that people of both countries get practical benefits.

In a special ceremony, International Islamic University Islamabad awarded honorary PhD degree in field of politics and international relations to President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. This degree was given in recognition of his leadership, public services and services for development of Maldives.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also hosted luncheon in honor of President of Maldives and his delegation.

It is to be noted that this official visit of President of Maldives is first visit of any Maldives President to Pakistan in last 11 years. This visit is taking place on occasion of completion of 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Maldives, which is an important step towards making relations between both countries further strong, broad and mutually beneficial.

Pakistan and Maldives emphasize increasing cooperation in trade, investment and tourism

Earlier Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar met President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad. In meeting both leaders emphasized importance of promoting cooperation in other sectors of mutual interest including trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism between Pakistan and Maldives.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson, during meeting Deputy Prime Minister appreciated participation of Maldivian business delegation in Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum. He expressed hope that contacts through business forums will create concrete opportunities of trade and investment.

President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed gratitude for warm welcome and hospitality by Pakistan. He expressed desire to further strengthen close relations with Pakistan and explore new opportunities of mutual interest-based cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar also conveyed good wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President of Maldives.