Saudi Arabia has provided $150 million (MVR 2.3 billion) in assistance to the Maldives for the completion of the Velana International Airport and the development of the country's health sector.
Officials from the Saudi Embassy in the Maldives and the Finance Ministry have confirmed the contribution.
This financial assistance from Saudi Arabia comes in response to a request by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made earlier this year. During his visit to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj Pilgrimage, President Solih engaged with senior officials from Saudi Arabia's Commerce Ministry and sought their assistance for the projects.
Of this, US$ 100 million will be utilized for the development of Velana International Airport, and the government has decided to spend the remaining $50 million to build hospitals in different parts of the Maldives.
