PUTRAJAYA: Maldives is inviting Malaysian companies to partake in the country’s business and construction ventures, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
The premier said a property developer, WZR Group of Companies, has been awarded a contract to build a 25-storey building for the Ministry of Finance in Maldives.
In a speech after holding a bilateral meeting with Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Najib said conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd, together with a Maldivian company, would also jointly construct a 856-bed hospital in Maldives.
The president is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia which ended yesterday.
Maldives, an island country and archipelago in the Indian Ocean, lies southwest of India and Sri Lanka in the Laccadive Sea.
Najib also said that the president had indicated Maldives’ interest to resuscitate a contract to buy petroleum products from Petronas.
“This matter is actually under consideration by Petronas,” he added.
“We are grateful to the Maldives government for giving Malaysian companies the opportunity to take part in business and construction ventures in Maldives,” he said.
Najib added that both countries held fruitful and in depth discussions on all aspects of Malaysia-Maldives relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.
“We are pleased with the state of predictions and we touched on matters of increasing bilateral trade in both countries, as well as, looked at opportunities for Malaysian companies to continue participating in the development of Maldives,” said Najib.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said he was delighted with the outcome of the discussions and was looking forward to work very closely with the president to further deepen and strengthen in other areas.
Maldives, with an estimated population of 336,416 people, as of January 1, 2016 is a Muslim-majority country.
Noting the momentum building up worldwide for better quality products and services as consumers gain confidence in halal process, Najib conveyed his readiness to share Malaysia’s experience and expertise in halal industry.
Meanwhile, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said Maldives looked up to Malaysia as a regional economic development of this part of the world.
“We are glad to work closely on the international front, as well as, economics,” said Abdulla Yameen.
Trade between both countries can be improved and Maldives is interested in getting refinery products from Petronas, he said.
“Malaysian Prime Minister has kindly agreed to this transaction.
“We traded with Petronas several years back but unfortunately it has been interrupted for few years.
“We would like to resume our trading with Malaysia,” he said.
Abdulla Yameen also invited Malaysian companies to invest largely in Maldives’ hotel sector, as the country provided a conducive environment for investors. — Bernama