Maldives, Bahrain explore subsidy for Maldivian tour operators
Shahid stated that Maldives and Bahrain concur on issues such as the importance of ensuring maritime security and trade freedom.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
Maldives and Bahrain are in talks to introduce joint tourist packages with potential subsidy from Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) with Maldivian tour operators, Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid announced Thursday.
Shahid and his Bahraini counterpart Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani held a joint press conference during Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s ongoing state visit to Bahrain.
Highlighting the details of the ongoing visit, Shahid said that the president met with the Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Qudaibiya Palace Thursday morning, where the two discussed the close existing cooperation and exploring new avenues for future cooperation. The two leaders also deliberated on strengthening cooperation in the economic, trade, and investment fields; supporting the role of the private sector in economic growth; and enhancing people-to-people contact through travel, trade and commerce, the minister said.
Elaborating on Maldives and Bahrain’s cooperation at the multilateral front, the Maldivian foreign minister said that the leaders of both countries denounced terrorism in all its manifestations and were committed to fight against terrorism, as well as transnational organised crime and enhancing cyber security.
He also stated that Maldives and Bahrain concur on issues such as the importance of ensuring maritime security and trade freedom, as well as the need to intensify efforts to reach a just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Shahid appreciated the decision of the Bahraini government to withdraw its candidature to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2023-2025 in favour of the Maldives. He also noted the country’s active role and positive contributions during its three terms as a member of the UNHRC, stating that it reflected the importance Bahrain placed on the promotion of human rights.
Maldives and Bahrain signed four agreements on Thursday and announced the intention to ink two more in the future.
The agreements exchanged are:
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations was signed between the foreign ministries of both countries
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Cooperation on Diplomatic Training and Exchange of Information and Documentation was signed between the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies of the Bahraini foreign ministry and the Foreign Service Institute of the Maldivian foreign ministry
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Area of Youth and Sports Development between the youth ministries of both countries
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Change, between Supreme Council for Environment of Bahrain and the Maldivian environment ministry
At the ceremony, two additional agreements were also announced.
