Latest news with #MohamedMuizzu
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Maldives and Henley & Partners Sign Landmark Partnership Agreement to Launch Pioneering Residence by Investment Program
MALÉ, Maldives, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of the Maldives has signed a landmark partnership agreement with Henley & Partners, the world's leading international investment migration advisory firm, to develop and implement the nation's first-ever residence by investment program. This groundbreaking collaboration supports President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's Vision 2040, which aims to transform the Maldives into a fully developed, resilient, and diversified economy. Mr. Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, speaking at the sidelines of the signing ceremony which was held at the Maldives–Singapore Business Forum 2025 on Sentosa Island in Singapore, said: "The Maldives has long been a world-class destination for travelers. With this program, we aim to extend that legacy to discerning global investors who see value in our people, our potential, and our future. This partnership with Henley & Partners reflects our confidence in aligning with reputable global players to achieve economic diversification and national resilience under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visionary leadership and Vision 2040 targets." Recognized globally as one of the world's most iconic luxury destinations, the Maldives intends to offer discerning global investors a unique opportunity to establish long-term residence in what is often described as a tropical paradise, comprising of 1,190 Coral Islands each surrounded by crystal-blue lagoons and grouped in a double chain of 27 atolls and spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers. Philippe Amarante, Managing Partner and Head of Government Advisory EMEA at Henley & Partners, told guests attending the ceremony that the new investment migration program will capitalize on the country's world-class real estate offerings. "The residence by investment program will provide state-of-the-art properties with the utmost privacy and exclusivity. As a safe, stable, and peaceful island nation, the Maldives presents the ultimate hedge against geopolitical conflict or global pandemics, offering an unparalleled lifestyle and security to high-net-worth individual investors and their families."
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Maldives and Henley & Partners Sign Landmark Partnership Agreement to Launch Pioneering Residence by Investment Program
MALÉ, Maldives, July 1, 2025 /CNW/ -- The Government of the Maldives has signed a landmark partnership agreement with Henley & Partners, the world's leading international investment migration advisory firm, to develop and implement the nation's first-ever residence by investment program. This groundbreaking collaboration supports President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's Vision 2040, which aims to transform the Maldives into a fully developed, resilient, and diversified economy. Mr. Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, speaking at the sidelines of the signing ceremony which was held at the Maldives–Singapore Business Forum 2025 on Sentosa Island in Singapore, said: "The Maldives has long been a world-class destination for travelers. With this program, we aim to extend that legacy to discerning global investors who see value in our people, our potential, and our future. This partnership with Henley & Partners reflects our confidence in aligning with reputable global players to achieve economic diversification and national resilience under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visionary leadership and Vision 2040 targets." Recognized globally as one of the world's most iconic luxury destinations, the Maldives intends to offer discerning global investors a unique opportunity to establish long-term residence in what is often described as a tropical paradise, comprising of 1,190 Coral Islands each surrounded by crystal-blue lagoons and grouped in a double chain of 27 atolls and spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers. Philippe Amarante, Managing Partner and Head of Government Advisory EMEA at Henley & Partners, told guests attending the ceremony that the new investment migration program will capitalize on the country's world-class real estate offerings. "The residence by investment program will provide state-of-the-art properties with the utmost privacy and exclusivity. As a safe, stable, and peaceful island nation, the Maldives presents the ultimate hedge against geopolitical conflict or global pandemics, offering an unparalleled lifestyle and security to high-net-worth individual investors and their families."
CNA
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore and Maldives to deepen cooperation in sustainability, education
More opportunities for student exchanges between Singapore and Maldives, and collaboration in areas such as climate science and weather forecasting on the horizon. This, as both nations look to deepen ties in capacity building, sustainability and education. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is on a three-day state visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Both countries are marking five decades of diplomatic ties. Alif Amsyar reports.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore and Maldives to cooperate on sustainability
PM Lawrence Wong shaking hands with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu during a state visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG SINGAPORE - Singapore and Maldives - both small island countries vulnerable to climate change - have signed an agreement to work together on sustainability and t he environment. In the afternoon of June 30, they also inked two other agreements to cooperate on capacity building and technical and vocational education training. These would allow the two countries to explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge. The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who is in Singapore for a three-day state visit till July 2. The visit marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between both countries. It is Dr Muizzu's first visit to Singapore in his current capacity , and the fifth high-level visit by a Maldivian president. Speaking at a state banquet later on June 30 , President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Singapore and the Maldives feel the impact of global shifts more acutely than most, not least in the effects of climate change. 'Rising seas, increased warming and extreme weather, and increasingly fragile natural ecosystems pose a fundamental threat to all nations, but impact small island states in unique ways,' he added. The banquet was held at The Fullerton Hotel in honour of Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. They are accompanied on the trip by nine cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shaking hands with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the state visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Mr Tharman said Singapore and the Maldives are close partners in more ways than the countries' small size might suggest. 'We both rely on the world for trade, ideas, and growth. And we both share the instinct that if we stay open and outward-looking, and keep investing in our people, we can chart our own course, and turn our constraints as island states into opportunity,' he said. He noted that the Maldives has established itself as a world-renowned destination for luxury tourism, and is building deep expertise in sustainability and marine conservation. Singapore has harnessed its human capital and geography to become a global hub for trade, finance, and innovation, he added. Mr Tharman highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation, citing areas like training for hospitality and sustainable tourism practices, as well as in the export of seafood and other products from the Maldives. Singapore can help expand Maldives' reach in East Asia, using its logistics networks and cold chain capabilities - needed in handling temperature-sensitive goods - to ensure short lead-time-to-market, lower logistics costs, and product integrity, he said. Before attending the state banquet, Dr Muizzu received a ceremonial welcome and called on Mr Tharman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He and PM Wong also met to discuss opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, including a bilateral investment treaty. Dr Muizzu and Mrs Sajidha also visited the National Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid hybrid was named in their honour. (From left) Mrs Tan, Minister Tan Kiat How, First Lady of the Maldives Sajidha Mohamed, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu during the orchid naming ceremony held at the National Orchid Garden on June 30. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Most of Singapore's investments in Maldives are in tourism, with Banyan Tree and Hotel Properties being the largest investors. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $351.9 million. The new agreement on sustainability and the environment covers areas such as climate change negotiation, environmental protection, waste and wastewater management, and weather forecasting and climate science. Under the agreement, both countries will explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge on topics of mutual interest. Under the two-year memorandum of agreement (MOU) on capacity building, Singapore will offer customised study visits for government officials from Maldives. These will cover areas such as sustainable development, economic development and public administration. Over 1,600 Maldives officials have been trained under the Singapore Cooperation Programme so far, mainly in finance, public administration, governance and law, and economic development. The Singapore Cooperation Programme was established in 1992. It allows foreign officials to sign up for courses that the Government supports. The MOU between Singapore's Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and Maldives' Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, aims to strengthen cooperation in higher education, educational policy, technical and vocational education and training, and research. It will focus on joint curriculum development, sharing of best practices, capacity building for higher education institutions in the Maldives, and enhancing the quality and relevance of vocational training. Maldives Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu shake hands after signing a MOU on Cooperation in Sustainability and the Environment on June 30. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Key areas of cooperation include faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, collaborative academic programmes, and policy dialogue. The five-year MOU also supports professional development through executive education, immersion attachments, and training in educational planning and governance. To commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties between both countries, SingPost and the Maldives Post have also jointly released a set of stamps. Featured on the stamps are Singapore's Lazarus Island and Hulhudhoo of the Maldives. The stamps were unveiled by Mr Tharman and Dr Muizzu at Fullerton Hotel before the banquet. During their visit, Dr Muizzu and his delegation will also participate in a high-level investment forum organised by Invest Maldives. In addition, they will visit Tuas Port, ITE Central and URA Gallery to understand Singapore's experiences in port management, vocational education, urban planning and housing development. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Yoga as Soft Power: India Flexes Muscle in the Maldives
Published : Jun 23, 2025 14:02 IST - 4 MINS READ Two years after protesters attacked and vandalised a yoga day celebration in the Maldivian capital, Male, the Indian Mission organised the event successfully in the archipelago nation in the open, to mark International Yoga Day on June 21. This time the Indian Mission took care to cater to the sensitivity in the Sunni Islamic nation—it moved the programme to a resort. The icing on the cake was that the Mission managed to persuade the President Mohamed Muizzu government to send a Minister to the event. Many in Muizzu's party, the People's National Congress (PNC), had demanded a stop to events such as yoga day, which, in their view, was against Islamic culture. 'ICC [the Indian Cultural Centre–Maldives], under High Commission of India, coordinated #IDY2025 celebrations at Taj Resort, with 500+ yoga lovers, diplomats, locals and diaspora,' a post on social media platform X by the Cultural Centre said. 'ICC teacher demonstrated common yoga protocol & the event was graced by HE Ibrahim Amir [Maldivian Minister] and HC [High Commissioner] Mr. Balasubramanian.' Last year, the Indian High Commission celebrated the day at its premises. The Mission's post said: '10th International Day of Yoga celebrated at the High Commission of India in the Maldives. Event witnessed participation of Maldivian & Indian Yoga enthusiasts.' The Indian Cultural Centre, Maldives, in a post on social media platform X, conveyed its 'heartfelt gratitude to Maldivian friends for gracing the event'. Last year, no Maldivian Minister was part of the event. Also Read | Why Maldives is strengthening ties with Islamic nations and China Naturally, there was negligible reaction from the section of Maldivians opposed to India holding a yoga day event in the Maldives. Hussain Shafiu, founder of the software company, HIS studios, commented that this was because 'it was done inside and people didn't even hear about it happening. That's why the difference in public reaction.' In fact, the 2025 Yoga Day was the biggest in the country, ever since the Indian government began pushing for massive shows after the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government assumed office for the first time, in 2014. One X user, a Maldivian citizen, noted: 'The Indian Embassy organised the biggest yoga event in the Maldives at Taj Maldives. Through this event, the Indian government showed that they can do whatever they want in the Maldives, including influencing local Muslims.' So far, no one has been tried for the 2022 disruption in Maldives, though 38 persons were arrested soon after the attack. The arrested included two religious personalities and a politician, who is now a lawmaker. The politician tried to later distance himself from the violence. The government is not keen on pursuing cases against the 38 persons. 'Following a review of the incident, the Prosecutor General's Office announced last Tuesday that it will only pursue charges against individuals with clear evidence of direct involvement in the violence or acts of intimidation during the June 21, 2022, event,' news website MV+ media reported on June 21. The 2022 disruptors were charged with terrorism, among other sections—a charge which was difficult to prove. The then ruling party, the MDP, had gone overboard to please India. Events that followed the 2022 attack have confirmed that it was a political project, to give momentum to those opposed to the then ruling party, the MDP. The fillip that this disruption gave formed the basis of the 'India Out' campaign. Till then, the campaign, which was against Indian armed forces personnel stationed in the Maldives, did not have a visible symbol because the personnel were stationed away from public gaze. Also Read | India-Maldives row: Is social media driving foreign policy? The yoga day provided a symbol of Indian imposition. The 2022 yoga campaign was organised in the capital Male's biggest stadium, the Galolhu National Stadium. The disruptors claimed that this was cultural imposition through yoga. This theme became relatable to the Maldivians—more than a third of the nearly 5.26 lakh population reside in the capital city. The campaign, India's tone-deafness to the cultural anxiety of the Maldivians, and the Maldivian Democratic Party government's reluctance to forcefully take up the issue with the Indian government, were partly responsible for Muizzu being propelled to power. The June 2025 yoga day conveys to Maldivians a new geopolitical reality—that India is a reality and it cannot be wished away. India had extended currency swap facility to the financially beleaguered nation as well as provided it aid and budgetary support. 'The warming ties were evident at this year's yoga day. State Minister for Sports' presence at the Taj Maldives Resort signalled official endorsement, a far cry from the chaos of three years ago,' noted the news and perspectives website, etruthmv. But not everyone accepts this reality. The Religious Scholars Association has condemned the event, the Maldives Insight website reported. 'Referencing the yoga-related unrest in 2022, the statement emphasised that the incident demonstrated how yoga poses a significant threat to national unity in the Maldives,' it said and added that the current government officials were opposed to yoga when they were not in power.
