President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called for Islamic countries to work together to achieve progress in various fields. He made this call during his speech at the ceremony held to confer an honorary doctorate upon him by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The President expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed by IIUM and stated that it symbolizes the ongoing collaborative efforts between the two countries to advance Islamic civilization.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that throughout history, Muslim scholars have achieved many notable successes, and that the advancements the world is making in various fields today are rooted in their work. He also stated that Islam is the foundation of life and that history testifies to the importance Islamic societies place on learning.

The President said that historically, Islamic societies have invested in infrastructure to promote education and improve the living standards of their people, and that today’s Islamic countries should progress by following the example of those societies. He also mentioned that our ancestors believed the pen to be mightier than the sword. The President emphasized the importance of instilling love for Islamic civilization in the hearts of youth, proving that Islam is a religion suitable for all times, and strengthening ties between Islamic countries.

To this end, he stated that investment is needed in world-class universities, research centers, and digital platforms. He also stressed the importance of sharing stories about Muslims who are currently making advancements in cancer research, AI, and climate technology, presenting them as role models for children.

The President said that there is no limit to learning in Islam and that claims of incompatibility between science and religion need to be refuted. He added that Muslim societies should progress by demonstrating that both can advance together.

Noting that the Islamic Ummah is divided today due to various reasons, the President said that ties between Islamic countries need to be strengthened. He suggested that international organizations like the OIC should take the initiative to work together in various fields, and that universities like IIUM should be developed to produce religious and educated individuals.

While discussing the revival of intellectual ideas, the President highlighted the need to address the cries of Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine. He condemned the inhumane acts committed by the Jewish state against the people of that country. He also emphasized the need to build societies where every Muslim child has the opportunity to learn and to prove that Islam is a religion that loves peace and prioritizes education.

The President stated that it is important for the next major innovative breakthrough in medicine, clean energy, or quantum computing to come from an Islamic country. He concluded by saying that achieving this requires countries to work together.

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has conferred an honorary doctorate upon President Dr. Mohamed Muizz. IIUM awarded this honorary doctorate to President Dr. Muizz during his current official visit to Malaysia.

The special ceremony to confer the honorary doctorate on President Dr. Muizz was presided over by the Head of Pahang Constitution of the International Islamic University Malaysia, Tengku Ampuan. President Dr. Muizz was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Leadership and Civil Development.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizz delivered a special address at the ceremony held to confer this honor. This marks the first time a Maldivian president has given a speech at IIUM. IIUM stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizz is a notable figure in policy-making using modern techniques and Islamic principles, as well as in the field of urban planning. The university also highlighted that President Muizz is a visionary and successful leader.

IIUM is a university that has provided significant assistance to the Maldives’ higher education sector. Since the 1990s, Maldivian students have been pursuing education at this university, and IIUM reports that to date, 380 Maldivian students have graduated from the university.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has launched a major campaign to showcase Maldivian scenery on the exterior of taxis in Dubai. This campaign was officially inaugurated in the Dubai Museum of the Future area. The campaign was officially launched by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Tariq Ibrahim. As part of this campaign, 200 taxis on Dubai’s streets will advertise the Maldives. These taxis will display the natural beautiful scenery of the Maldives. Additionally, as part of an agreement with Liverpool, the taxis will also feature Liverpool co-branding.

MMPRC states that this campaign will be conducted for a duration of one month. MMPRC is carrying out this campaign in conjunction with the ongoing Arabian Travel Market. As such, MMPRC believes that this campaign will greatly promote the Maldives in the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates. While this campaign has been launched during the Arabian Travel Market, the Travel Market, the ongoing Arabian Travel Market is being attended by delegates from 160 countries around the world. With over 90,000 people visiting this fair alone, more than 46,000 people, including delegates from various countries, are participating in the fair. Therefore, MMPRC states that this is an important opportunity to promote the Maldives.

While MMPRC has launched the taxi campaign in Dubai, similar taxi campaigns to promote the Maldives have previously been conducted in Germany and the United Kingdom. MMPRC has also noted the success of such campaigns conducted previously.

More than 100,000 tourists have visited the Maldives in eighteen days. According to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, this is a 7.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of tourists visiting the Maldives is increasing day by day. Currently, an average of over 6,000 tourists visit the Maldives the Maldives daily. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 812,770 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year. This is a 7.6% increase compared to the same period last year. During this period last year, 755,583 tourists had visited the Maldives.

So far this year, China has been the country with the highest number of tourists visiting the Maldives. More than 88,000 tourists from that country have visited the Maldives.

The top 5 countries with the most tourists visiting the Maldives:

* China – 88,615 tourists

* United Kingdom – 86,181 tourists

* Russia – 83,659 tourists

* Italy – 75,499 tourists

* Germany – 62,663 tourists

According to tourism statistics, of the tourists who have visited the Maldives so far this year, more than 500,000 tourists have spent their holidays in resorts. And more than 200,000 tourists spent their holidays in guesthouses. In addition, statistics from the Ministry of Tourism show that more than 24,000 tourists have spent their holidays in hotels. Last year, 2 million tourists visited the Maldives. And before the end of this year, the government aims to bring 2.3 million tourists to the Maldives, and many efforts are being made to promote and advertise Maldives tourism to achieve this goal.

The Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has stated that the growth of private businesses is important for the Maldives to be included in the list of developed countries. The Minister said this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maldives-Malaysia Investment Forum. Speaking at this ceremony, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, said that holding a Maldivian investment forum in Malaysia is evidence of strengthening business ties between the two countries. The Minister also said that this would facilitate information about investment opportunities in both countries for businesspeople from both nations.

Saeed said that the Maldives is currently in a favorable position for development and progress. The Minister also said that under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, work is being done according to a special roadmap to include the Maldives in the list of developed countries before the year 2040. The Minister also emphasized that the growth of private businesses is very important to achieve this goal.

The Minister said that a special law has now been formulated to promote private businesses and make the Maldives favorable for foreign investors. As such, with the Foreign Investment Law that has now been formulated, Minister Saeed noted that foreign investors will receive legal protection, be able to conduct business transparently, and have the opportunity to play a role in advancing the Maldivian economy. “The Investment Forum will allow investors from both countries to meet, strengthening business relationships. And it will pave the way for economic cooperation and advancement in the future,” the Minister said.

Speaking at the ceremony to launch this forum, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Abdulaziz, characterized this as a forum that will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries in the business sector. Tengku said that business transactions between the Maldives and Malaysia increased by 4 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. In addition, the Malaysian Minister of Investment said that with this forum, business transactions will increase further, and it will also facilitate businesspeople from both countries to identify business opportunities in the other country.

“Malaysia is one of the leading countries in the world in the halal industry. There are opportunities for Maldivian investors in Malaysia in the field of producing and selling food within Islamic principles. And we are also seeing various Malaysian brands opening in the Maldives,” Tengku said.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and a delegation of senior Maldivian government officials are currently on an official visit to Malaysia. While the Maldives-Malaysia Investment Forum has now begun as part of this visit, important agreements have already been signed to strengthen relations in various fields.

The opportunity to invest in more than fifty projects in the Maldives has been opened to foreign investors. This opportunity was opened through the Maldives-Malaysia Business Forum held in Malaysia. The Business Forum is a series of forums held to reveal investment opportunities in the Maldives to foreign parties and foreign investors. Through the Business Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, investments have been opened for major projects included in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision. At this forum, which was attended by a large number of Malaysian investors and businesspeople, opportunities to invest in 52 projects were opened.

Some of the areas of projects opened to investors include urban development projects, healthcare sector, higher education sector, sports sector, airport development, tourism sector, fisheries and marine resources development sector, as well as energy sector, creative economy, banking and finance sector, and ICT sector. In addition, some other sectors are also included among the areas opened to investors.

Some of the projects opened for investment:
1- Rasmale Development Project
2- Gulhifalhu Reclamation and Protection
3- SME and SOE Office Building
4- Development of Dharubaaruge Convention Center
5- Construction of Multilevel Parking Buildings
6- Relocating and developing Male’ Commercial Port to Thilafushi
7- Development of Kudahuvadhoo, Maamigili Port
8- Development of H.A. Uligam Yacht Marina
9- Development of Lhaviyani Maritime Hub

In addition, it includes urban development projects in the health sector, expansion of the mental health sector, and pharmaceutical sector projects. It also includes many projects that are part of the President’s pledges. These include the development of a Tourism Training Facility, development of a National Art School, development of a Medical School with a Teaching Hospital, development of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, development of a Fisheries College, and development of Medical Tourism and Sports Fishing sectors.

Speaking to PSM News about this Business Forum, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed said that based on the reception of previous business forums, many projects related to the President’s pledges have been opened to investors this time as well. The Minister said that these projects include those that investors will carry out, projects that can be conducted in partnership with Maldivian businesses, and projects that can be carried out in collaboration with the government.

“The biggest difference this time is that now it will be known what the project is, how much money will be needed for the investment, and how long it will take for the project. After that, the partner or the financing party, or the financial institution or business will know the benefits and the full payback commitment schedule. Also, all the details of how a foreign investment can be registered in the Maldives.” said the Minister of Economic Development.

Previously, business forums have been held during various presidential trips. As such, business forums have been held in major cities of India, as well as in Dubai and China. The government continues to work on holding such forums in some other countries as well.

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said that fishermen will become aware of the state with the financial assistance arrangements made available through BML. He said this while speaking at a ceremony held to sign an agreement between the ministry and BML to arrange financial assistance for those registered in the National Fisheries Registry.

One of the biggest efforts being made by the government to systematically provide financial assistance from institutions, banks, and financial institutions to fishermen is the work of registering fishermen. As part of this work, a National Fisheries Registry was inaugurated in February of last year.

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam said that the main purpose of a national registry is to remove barriers to fishermen benefiting from financial resources and to make fishing an officially recognized occupation in the Maldives.

Shedding light on the work being done by the ministry to compile the fishermen’s registry, Minister Shiyam said that ministry staff have traveled to the atolls of the Maldives to compile the registry, and from the work done so far, 95% of vessels engaged in fishing have been registered. The Minister said that the biggest challenge for those working in the fishing industry has been obtaining loans or financing from banks. He said that through the work done in recent days to solve this issue, arrangements have now been made for financial assistance to be available to those registered in the National Fisheries Registry. The Minister said that this has ensured that fishermen are recognized by the government.

“To achieve this goal, from the very first day, making fishermen recognized by the state will certainly be through such state institutions (BML) providing the benefits or conveniences that are available to those working in other offices and companies in the Maldives, and as I mentioned, even in the civil service, to fishermen. That is what I believe is recognizing the state,” said Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam.

This government has been working on many efforts to advance and diversify the Maldivian fishing industry. The government’s goal is to further expand the fishing industry and make fishing one of the highest income-generating industries for the Maldives. When this government took office, the biggest concern of fishermen was the issue of not receiving payment for the fish they sold. When this government took office, 250 million rufiyaa was unpaid for fish sold by fishermen. However, the government has said that this money has been paid off and now fishermen are being paid on a daily basis.

The government’s goal is to find solutions to the problems facing the fishing industry within the first 3 years of the government.”