Edited By Sangeeta Das
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has called on China to enhance efforts to boost tourism to his country, following a series of cancellations by Indian tourists amid a diplomatic dispute over derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the second day of his five-day State visit to China, Muizzu asserted upon the strong alliance with it, praising the giant country as the island nation’s “closest” ally.
Addressing the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province, Muizzu applauded Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative or BRI projects, describing them as the “most significant infrastructure projects witnessed in Maldivian history.
Expressing gratitude for past collaboration, he expressed his desire for increased flow of Chinese tourists to the Maldives, accentuating the pre-Covid significance of China as the country’s top tourism market.
Reports indicate that a US$ 50 million project to develop an integrated tourism zone in the Maldives has been signed between the two nations. This appeal for Chinese tourism comes amid tensions sparked by derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against PM Modi, leading to the suspension of three deputy ministers and strong condemnation from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry or MATI.
Despite the diplomatic strain, data from the Maldives Tourism Ministry reveals that Bharat remained the largest tourist market for the country in 2023. Muizzu’s administration aims to diversify the Maldivian economic base while prioritizing the quick implementation of the Free Trade Agreement or FTA signed with China in 2014.
President Muizzu expressed commitment to strengthening commercial ties through the FTA, emphasizing its goal to boost bilateral trade and investments, particularly increasing the export of fish products to China. Bilateral trade data from 2022 showed China’s exports totaling US$ 451.29 million, compared to Maldives’ exports of US$ 60,000.
During the Maldives Investment Forum, Muizzu sought investments from Chinese companies for 11 projects, including the relocation of the Male Commercial Port, Velana International Airport development, construction of additional airports, and the expansion of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Despite existing diplomatic challenges, Muizzu reaffirmed his administration’s pro-China stance and dedication to fostering economic growth in the Maldives.
