The United States government has made the decision to provide Maldives with an additional USD 9.75 million (MVR 150.3 million) in assistance during 2019.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Shahid, who is currently on an official visit to the US met with the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Speaking on the meeting, Deputy Spkesperson of the State Department Robert Palladino said the State Department will be working with the US Congress to provide the monetary assistance to Maldives in a bit to strengthen the bilateral relations between both countries.
The Foreign Minister also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US government to increase the aid granted to Maldives by the States. The State Department revealed assistance will be provided in three key areas: debt management, reforming the financial state of the nation and combating acts of corruption conducted through financial institutions.
The State Department further revealed that Maldives had pledged their cooperation in the efforts of the US to bring peace to the Indo-pacific region. They also revealed that Minister Shahid had underscored the Maldivian government's commitment to reform democratic entities.
