Maldivian Ambassador to Pakistan, Mohamed Thoha, stated today that the Pakistani government has expressed its desire to promote Halal tourism in the Maldives and make use of business opportunities, and that the country's decision to commence air travel with the Maldives will bring major benefits.
He said this while speaking with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during the President's visit to the Maldivian Embassy in Islamabad as part of his ongoing trip to Pakistan.
Arriving in Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Muizzu today signed an MOU to resume air travel between the Maldives and that country. An MOU to promote tourism was also signed.
Ambassador Thoha stated that the biggest obstacle to taking Pakistani business to the Maldives was air transport. He said that although many businessmen in Pakistan wish to go as tourists to expand business in the Maldives, they have expressed concern due to the absence of direct flights.
"Pakistan's Commerce Minister told me that they are also ready to issue Halal tourism certification in the Maldives. That they wish to make use of that opportunity. Therefore, due to the MOU related to air transport, an opportunity will be received to expand tourism," Thoha said.
Showing his "business card" to President Muizzu, Thoha stated that it also reads "Visit Maldives." Thoha said that this is also something done to introduce and promote Maldivian tourism in Pakistan.
"But the only problem is transportation," he said.
A dedicated "corner" has also been made at the Maldivian Embassy in Pakistan to promote Maldivian tourism.
"President, we have set up a dedicated desk for that purpose. Promoting Maldivian tourism is something I give very high priority to," Ambassador Thoha said.
During President Muizzu's state visit, 20 MOUs were signed by the Maldives today. Among these, in addition to the MOU to resume air travel between the Maldives and Pakistan, are MOUs related to anti-narcotics efforts, health, education, fisheries, agriculture, tourism promotion, as well as defense and cyber security.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohamed Shehbaz Sharif announced today that the two countries have targeted to increase the current USD 13.9 million annual trade between the Maldives and Pakistan to USD 200 million within the next two years.
