Maldives government Friday was quick to reassure strong ties with Saudi Arabia hours after the latter issued a statement denying indications that it was "buying" an entire Atoll for a billion dollar project.
Saudi embassy in the Maldives in a statement dismissed allegations that the archipelago's government was planning to sell the entire Faafu Atoll to the Saudi royal family for a staggering USD10 billion worth project.
"Those information are not true, henceforth, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia neither invest in such project nor has an intention doing so or buying a land/island or an atoll, in the Republic of Maldives," the statement read.
The strong rebuttal of the investment, sparked fresh media reports suggesting a fallout between the two governments.
Fisheries minister Dr Mohamed Shainee however denied a fallout accusing the media and the opposition of "twisting" the Saudi embassy statement.
"We've been saying the same thing. The Saudi government is not looking to invest in the Maldives. We've been saying some Saudi investors are interested in the project. So the Saudi embassy has also said what we've been saying all along," Shainee said.
Shainee further insisted that the Saudi government distancing itself from the project does not mean strained ties between the two countries.
The senior minister had also condemned opposition efforts to portray the Saudi investment as a threat to the entire region.
