Saudi Arabia is interested in strengthening its relations with the Maldives in several new areas, its Ambassador to the Maldives, Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony marking Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day at Kurumba Maldives, Ambassador Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia had provided USD488 million in assistance for development projects in the Maldives over the past 48 years.

He said Saudi Arabia had provided significant assistance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water and sewerage, and transport.

Highlighting the long-standing ties between the two countries, Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia was keen to expand cooperation in Islamic affairs, trade and investment, development, tourism, education and technology.

He said the two countries needed to work together on issues that would benefit their people and help maintain the relationship in the future.

Ambassador Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia’s support for the Maldives was a testament to its confidence in the country and the importance it placed on its development.

He also highlighted a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Saudi Arabia two years ago, which demonstrated the importance the two countries’ leaders attached to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.

The recent visit by a delegation of Saudi investors to the Maldives was also an important opportunity to expand ties into new areas, he said.

Saudi Arabia has provided more than $218 million in Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) financing for the development of Velana International Airport (VIA).

The SFD is also supporting projects in Hulhumale', housing, healthcare and fisheries. Projects currently under way in the Maldives with SFD financing are worth about USD180 million, according to the Ambassador.