The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma outlined the new long-term concessional credit scheme for project exports launched by the Government of India and assured to encourage major Indian companies to participate in infrastructure building in Maldives when he called on the President of Maldives H.E.Mr. Mohamed Nasheed at Male today. Both the leaders held wide ranging discussions on economic cooperation between India and Maldives. During the meeting, Shri Sharma also invited an official delegation from Maldives to visit Indian research institutes and identify themselves appropriate technologies for implementation in Maldives. President Nasheed thanked the Indian government for all the assistance provided to Maldives and also for the recent release of export quota for the supply of essential commodities to Maldives. The meeting was attended by Vice President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President H.E. Mr.Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Foreign Minister H.E Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Economic Development Minister Mr. Mahmood Razee and Foreign Policy Advisor to President H.E Dr. Ahmed Shaheed from the Maldivian side and the High Commissioner of India Mr. Dnyaneshwar M.Mulay and the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India Mr. Arvind Mehta from the Indian side.

It may be recalled that earlier this week, the Government of India had issued the quota for export of essential commodities for three years instead of one year to help improve the supply situation in Maldives. During the visit, the Indian Minister would be attending the Fifth Meeting of the SAFTA Ministerial Council in Male’ on 13 June

The Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India Mr. Anand Sharma arrived in Male today on a two-day official visit to Maldives. At the airport, the Minister was received by the Minister of State for Economic Development of Maldives H.E Mr. Ahmed Mujthaba, the High Commissioner of India in Maldives Mr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay and senior officials of the foreign Ministry.

Export quota for essential commodities extended to improve supply, paired with concessional credit scheme to support project exports. India extended the export quota for essential commodities to the Maldives for three years to improve supply, and launched a long-term concessional credit scheme for project exports to promote Indian participation in Maldivian infrastructure projects, alongside invitations for Maldivian delegations to identify appropriate technologies in India.