President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has praised the efforts to advocate for the rights of visually impaired individuals. The President made this commendation in a message released on Saturday to mark World Braille Day.

In this message, the President highlighted the important role Braille played in empowering visually impaired individuals with its innovative and revolutionary change. He also noted that Braille was a powerful tool for eliminating the challenges faced by such individuals in society, and that as a result, they become full participants in national development.

In the President’s message, he expressed gratitude to those who work to advocate for the rights of visually impaired individuals. The President emphasized that it is a fundamental responsibility of every nation to design and provide accessible services and resources for visually impaired individuals. He also stated that today’s government is one that implements policies considering such essential needs of society.

The President concluded his message by reiterating that the government will prioritize empowering people with special needs, increasing their role in society, and shaping state policies to assist them in living with dignity. policies to assist them in living with dignity.

Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef, has stated that they are closely monitoring the damage and situation in various islands due to the ongoing heavy rainfall in the Maldives.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Minister said that under the guidance and advice of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the Ministry is closely monitoring the damages and difficulties faced by the people due to the current rainfall and high waves, through the island councils.

Today, an orange alert was issued from B. Atoll to Th. Atoll, with islands in these areas experiencing very heavy rainfall, flooding, and significant damages. In addition to island councils and institutions, the military and police are also working on draining water.

The Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a yellow alert from N. Atoll to L. Atoll until 04:00 am tonight. The Met Office said that islands in these areas are expected to experience heavy rainfall with thunder, with wind speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in the cloud bands and rough seas. According to the Met Office, the current rainy weather is expected to clear starting from next Monday.

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has called on the public to pay attention to and cooperate with the instructions being given by the government and relevant authorities during the ongoing heavy rainfall across the Maldives. The Vice President said this in a post on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the current rainy weather affecting the entire country.

In the post, the Vice President stated that to minimize the damages occurring due to the current heavy rainfall in the Maldives, the public should pay attention to and cooperate with the instructions being given by the government and relevant authorities at this time. He also noted and expressed gratitude for the unity and cooperation shown by the public during such times.

The Maldives Meteorological Service has revealed that Male’ has received a record amount of rainfall. In an interview given to PSM News, an official from the Maldives Meteorological Service stated that Male’ has received 140 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with 60 millimeters of rain falling within a single hour today.

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has stated that India will always remain a country that supports the progress and development of the Maldives.

He said this in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after a consultative meeting held today in Delhi with Maldives’ Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, before signing the agreement related to the inauguration of the third phase of development projects in the Maldives with the assistance of neighboring India under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).

He said that during the meeting, they discussed the development cooperation between the two countries, economic and security matters, fintech, and the close relationship between the people of the two countries. He also stated that in line with the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and vision, India will always remain a country that supports the progress and development of the Maldives.

Many projects have been implemented in the islands of the Maldives to establish basic services under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). With the agreement signed today, the third phase of project-based cooperation has begun with the aim of directly benefiting the people at the grassroots level.

The third phase of development projects in the Maldives with the assistance of neighboring India under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) has been inaugurated and the related agreement has been signed.

The agreement was signed following a consultative meeting held today in Delhi between Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, during his official visit to India, and India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. Many projects have been completed in the Maldives under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) to date. These are projects carried out under the close relationship between India and the Maldives with the aim of directly benefiting the people. With the agreement signed today, the third phase of project-based cooperation has begun with the aim of directly benefiting the people at the grassroots level.

According to the Foreign Ministry, during this meeting between Minister Dr. Khaleel and Jaishankar, they discussed matters agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s inaugural visit to India in October 2024, priority areas in the relationship between the two countries, and all matters decided to be undertaken jointly by the two countries.

In their discussions during this meeting, both ministers assured that they would work to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

During these official consultations held in New Delhi, the capital of India, both ministers noted the progress of projects being carried out with Indian grant assistance and Line of Credit initiatives.

During the consultative meeting, Minister Khaleel expressed gratitude on behalf of the Maldivian government for the cooperation and assistance provided by India to overcome the current financial challenges facing the Maldives. He also highlighted the role India is playing in the Maldives’ economic progress and noted the close relationship between the two countries, emphasizing the need to further strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries.

The Ministry of Fisheries has revealed that almost all Maldivian fishery products can be exported to China at zero tax under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the Maldives and China.

In a statement released today, the Fisheries Ministry welcomed the implementation of the free trade agreement between the Maldives and China, which began today. The statement described this agreement as an important milestone symbolizing the economic relationship between the Maldives and China, and stated that it would open up opportunities for innovations in the fisheries sector and advance the trade of Maldivian fish products.

The statement highlighted that the main objectives of free trade are to increase exports, reduce trade barriers, and create and facilitate new opportunities for businesses in both the Maldives and China. “Almost all Maldivian fishery products can be exported to China at zero tax under this agreement. It will also facilitate the re-export of fish products,” the Fisheries Ministry’s statement said.

The statement also mentioned that the protocol on inspection and quarantine of natural marine products signed between China and the Maldives on October 29 last year would make it easier to export seafood products and further expand the seafood trade. The statement also praised and welcomed President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s foresight and planning in implementing the free trade agreement.

The Fisheries Ministry’s statement said that this agreement would open up numerous opportunities to advance and diversify the fishing industry. It also stated that the implementation of this agreement would increase the contribution of fisheries to GDP and directly improve the standard of living of fishermen.

As the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the Maldives and China comes into effect, 91% of goods imported from China to the Maldives will be duty-free. Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed previously stated that in the future, if goods are brought from China, arrangements will be made to bring those goods to the Maldives by paying in Maldivian Rufiyaa to Maldivian banks. He also said that those traders would not need to use dollars.

With the implementation of this agreement, duties are removed from a total of 7897 items across nine sectors. Among the types of duties removed, 296 are fishery products.”

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated today that 2024 was a year of empowering citizens and maintaining the country’s sovereignty. In a post shared on Facebook, he said that this year was one in which citizens were empowered and the nation’s sovereignty was protected.

He noted that due to the changes brought to the constitution, a referendum can now be held on important matters, which he highlighted as giving power to the citizens. The People’s Majlis, with a supermajority of the ruling PNC, has passed five amendments to the constitution.

One of the strongest changes brought to the constitution is that any change to the Maldivian territory can only be made through a law passed by a three-fourths majority of the total members of the People’s Majlis. This amendment defines the Maldivian territory as the land, air, sea, and seabed within the Maldives’ archipelagic baselines, and the territorial waters, seabed, and associated airspace beyond these baselines.

With the constitutional amendments, the powers of the President have also been expanded. As such, the President now has the authority to determine the main policies of the state, provide direction to government institutions, and formulate national development plans and visions.

Additionally, under the amendment to Article 251 (c) of the constitution, permission for foreign parties to use any part of the Maldivian territory for military purposes, whether through an agreement or otherwise, can only be granted with the approval of a majority of the total members of the People’s Majlis. However, participation in military training conducted under agreements is exempt from this.

Furthermore, the constitution has been amended so that if an article requiring a public referendum is to be amended, public approval must be sought.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that 2025 will be a year of prosperity, a year of practical work on projects, and a year for everyone to unite and journey towards one goal in national development. In his New Year’s address, the President said that the Maldivian state today is a state traveling towards specific goals, aiming to achieve certain objectives.

He mentioned that these goals include defending and ensuring the country’s independence and Maldivian nationality, guaranteeing housing for every Maldivian citizen, and developing healthcare and basic public services to modern standards.

“It’s about the urban development brought to various parts of the country. It’s about constitutional reforms. It’s about diversifying and expanding the economy in various sectors. Along with all these, it’s a clear roadmap drawn to migrate to the ranks of developed nations. This is the goal of the Maldives’ development journey today,” the President said.

The President stated that 2025 will be included as a year of practical work on these matters. As such, various development projects will begin in different parts of the country, resulting in the restoration of economic self-sufficiency. He also noted that as opportunities open up for workers, general prosperity will begin to spread throughout the nation.

“The New Year is always an opportunity to set resolutions. Resolutions can be set at national, community, and individual levels. The government’s resolution is to remain sincere in serving the people day and night. To fulfill promises. To maintain trust. To always be closest to the people. To find permanent solutions to problems.”

The President said that the individual resolution for the new year should be to bring forth good and positive thinking about matters, prioritize peace and reconciliation, and recognize that security is the foundation of development and contentment. The President has appealed to every citizen to prioritize good and positive thinking about matters to make this new year a year of development. He also requested guidance in the right direction for matters that need improvement.

A policy has been formulated to provide higher education opportunities through the Zakat Fund for those lacking financial means. The “Policy for Providing Higher Education Assistance from the Zakat Fund” outlines ways to provide Zakat Fund scholarships, special scholarships, and assistance to current students. Previously, the policy only covered scholarships and assistance for current students.

Zakat Fund scholarships will be given for studying Islamic fields from diploma level up to PhD. Under this policy, scholarships will only be given for courses validated by the Maldives Qualification Authority and to institutions recognized by that authority. For overseas studies, priority will be given to OIC countries as specified and announced under this policy.

According to the policy for providing higher education assistance from the Zakat Fund, priority in awarding scholarships will be given to those registered in the registry of the poor and needy, those lacking financial means, educational qualifications, and duration of service to the nation. Eligibility criteria for the scholarship include lack of financial means, inability to self-finance education, not having previously received a free opportunity to study through the government or other state institutions, not currently studying on a Zakat Fund scholarship, and not having failed to complete a bond after studying on free aid/paid leave or loan opportunity provided by or through the government.

However, exceptions will be made for students seeking to pursue a higher level of education than their current qualifications and those wishing to study an Islamic concept-related course in their field of study. Those who have secured educational opportunities through the Maldivian government, other state institutions, or free aid from other parties will not be eligible for this assistance.