Maldives using Dubai as role model

Dubai: The Maldives is looking to benefit from Dubai’s experience in operating the country’s port, the president of the Maldives, Mohammad Waheed, said on Monday during his visit to the UAE.

He said: “Dubai has a very successful story and we are looking to benefit from this experience and by attracting more investments from UAE to Maldives.

“Ports operation in Dubai is very advanced and there is a serious discussing with the Dubai government seeking an agreement to help in the operation Maldives port, which will escalate our port standard to the existing one in Dubai.”

Maldives and Dubai have etablished close relations, with the UAE investmenting extensively in the islands across different business sectors.

President Waheed confirmed that his visit to the UAE will help to further strengthen the relationship. “Both nations have shared a strong relationship for many years and now we want to bring this relationship much closer.

“We are in talks with the UAE seeking to attract more investment, mainly in service sectors and to attract more tourists to our country. We have many sectors open for investors to come.

“In addition to the UAE investment in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors, we are looking to develop different business segments getting benefit from Dubai story of success.”

“In Maldives, Dubai has remarkable investments in hospitality, having [the] Jumeriah hotels chain and the ‘One and Only’.”

President Waheed said Maldives is also seeking technical support and a knowledge transfer through cooperation with Dubai. He highlighted that medical care and hospitality are two sectors with huge business potential in which Maldives hopes to get Dubai’s support.

“Our country is interested to adopt the example of Dubai smart government and media city,” Waheed said. “Pointing to the high speec development in Dubai, the features of transformation in Dubai and the successful business and development model reflect the wise vision of its leadership.”