Maldives and Pakistan agree to strengthen ties in defence, trade and education
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of President Muizzu and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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The Maldives and Pakistan have signed 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation across sectors including defence, trade, healthcare, education, technology and tourism.
The agreements were signed on Wednesday during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's ongoing official visit to Pakistan.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of President Muizzu and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreements cover cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence and digital development, alongside measures to combat drug trafficking and strengthen social protection.
In the healthcare sector, the two countries signed agreements covering healthcare services and medicines, as well as employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Defence cooperation and maritime safety and security were also included among the agreements, alongside cooperation in agriculture and fisheries.
The two countries further agreed to collaborate on technical and vocational training, education, youth empowerment and sports development.
An MoU was signed between the Maldives Ministry of Education and Pakistan's Higher Education Commission to strengthen cooperation in education.
Additional agreements cover air transport, tourism, culture, arts and heritage.
Cooperation between law enforcement institutions was also formalised through an agreement between the Maldives National College of Policing and Law Enforcement and Pakistan's Police Academy.
The Maldives Civil Service and Pakistan's Federal Service signed an agreement, while a separate agreement was concluded between the civil service institutions of the two countries.
In the trade sector, State Trading Organisation (STO) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU concerning trade in agricultural produce, food and other products.
An agreement on environmental cooperation was also signed.
The 20 agreements and MoUs signed during the visit cover the following areas:
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1-
Cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence and digital development.
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2-
Cooperation to combat drug trafficking.
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3-
Cooperation in social protection.
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4-
Cooperation in healthcare and medicines.
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5-
Employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
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6-
Defence cooperation.
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7-
Cooperation in maritime safety and security.
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8-
Agricultural cooperation.
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9-
Fisheries cooperation.
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10-
Technical and vocational education and training.
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11-
Cooperation between the Maldives Ministry of Education and Pakistan's Higher Education Commission.
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12-
Youth empowerment and sports development.
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13-
Air transport cooperation.
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14-
Tourism cooperation.
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15-
Cooperation in culture, arts and heritage.
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16-
Agreement between the Maldives National College of Policing and Law Enforcement and Pakistan's Police Academy.
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17-
Agreement between the Maldives Civil Service and Pakistan's Federal Service.
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18-
Agreement between the civil service institutions of the Maldives and Pakistan.
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19-
MoU between STO and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan on trade in agricultural produce, food and other products.
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20-
Environmental cooperation.
The agreements represent an expansion of cooperation between the Maldives and Pakistan, covering government institutions, security, economic activities and human resource development.
The signing took place as part of President Muizzu's visit to Pakistan, during which the two governments are seeking to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
