President Mohamed Nasheed inaugurated Maldives Islamic Bank on March 7.1 President Nasheed visited Mauritius on the invitation from Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam to officiate the country’s National Day celebrations on March 12, 2011. During his stay in Mauritius, President Nasheed met President of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister Dr Ramgoolam, Chief Justice Yeung Sik Yuen, Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly Rajkeswur Purryag, and Leader of Opposition of Mauritius Paul Bérenger. During the official talks with the Mauritian leaders President Nasheed proposed to form an official body of Indian Ocean island countries to collectively promote development cooperation and common interests at the world stage. During the meeting, the Mauritian Prime Minister proposed to explore the possibility of jointly conducting economic zone surveillance by two countries.2 Meanwhile, President of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth has awarded President Mohamed Nasheed the highest distinct order of merit in Mauritius, Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and the Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK).3

President Mohamed Nasheed has sent a message of sympathy to Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan following the loss of many lives, injury to many people, and extensive damage caused by the massive earthquake that hit Northern parts of the country and the tsunami triggered by the earthquake.4 The Maldives has also offered Japan in-kind assistance of 1,800 cases of canned Maldivian tuna, containing a total of 86,400 cans, to help feed a town affected by the disaster. 5

In other developments, President Mohamed Nasheed met the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to review the IMF programme in the Maldives under its Stand-by Arrangement and Exogenous Shock Facility to assist economic recovery in the Maldives on March 10, 2011.6

• 1. “President Inaugurates Maldives Islamic Bank”, March 7, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4898
• 2. “President Nasheed Holds Talks with Mauritian Prime Minister”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 12, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4931 “President Nasheed Officiates Mauritius National Day Celebrations”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 13, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4933
• 3. “Mauritius Awards Highest Order to President Nasheed”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 12, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4929
• 4. “President Sends Sympathy to Japanese Prime Minister Following the Earthquake and Tsunami”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 11, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4921
• 5. “Maldives Provides Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Assistance”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 12, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4927
• 6. “President Meets the IMF Mission in the Maldives”, The President’s Office, Government of Maldives, March 10, 2011 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=4913