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President Dr Mohamed Waheed, on September 17, met with the Indian Minister of Defence, Shri A. K. Antony at his office in Male. During the discussion President Waheed conveyed his appreciation to the Indian Minister of Defence for inaugurating the military hospital in Male, and for laying down the foundation for a Training centre. Shri Antony underlined that Maldives and India were facing very similar impediments, and reassured that India would continue providing its assistance and support to the Maldives in all areas. 1
Reports noted that President Dr Mohamed Waheed left for the United States on September 21 an official trip to attend the 67th UN General Assembly. 2
In other developments, according to reports, Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen launched Maldives Climate Change Trust Fund. The Maldives Climate Change Trust Fund is a multi-donor collaboration between the government of Maldives, the European Union, Australian Agency for International Development, the World Bank, and other multinational agencies. 3
Minister of Finance Abdullah Jihad has said that unless the $25 million promised by India last year under the previous Government as part of the US$ 100 million standby credit facility, is received, paying salaries might be difficult next month, as country’s cash flow management is currently ‘extremely difficult’. Minister Jihad said that a loan of $17 million will be obtained from ADB as budget support in order to pay salaries for this month. 4
- 1. “President Waheed meets with Indian Defence Minster”, President’s Office, Republic of Maldives, September 17, 2012 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=7942
- 2. “President Waheed departs to the US”, The President’s Office, Republic of Maldives, September 21, 2012 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=7960.
- 3. “Vice President launches the Maldives Climate Change Trust Fund”, President’s Office, Republic of Maldives, September 19, 2012 at http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=11&dcid=7956.
- 4. “May be difficult to pay salaries unless the $25m from India is received: Finance Minister”, Sun Online, September 23, 2012 at http://sun.mv/english/5991. “Finance minister anticipates wage payment problems without Indian financing”, Minivan News, September 23, 2012 at http://minivannews.com/category/news-in-brief.