The Maldives has signed a Letter of Exchange Agreement with the Government of Australia on the formulation of a 20-year National Development Plan. The agreement, which will see the Maldives receive key technical guidance and assistance from Australia, was signed during an event at the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development on Thursday.
According to the Housing Ministry, the Australian government, under the agreement, has committed to providing AUD 900,000 (MVR 9.4 million) worth of assistance in line with the UNDP Integrated Governance Project.
The cabinet decided last month to begin the process of drafting the 20-year National Development Plan.
President Mohamed Muizzu earlier said the plan will be implemented as soon as next year with the full participation of the people, all political parties, associations, various stakeholders, and experts.
“This plan, as [I] promised, will be reflective of the Constitution and will be implemented through laws specifically drafted to give it legal standing and legal protection… The aim is to ensure that the vision of the Maldives for the next 20 years is determined in the way the people want it to be,” Muizzu had said earlier.
Consultations during the formulation of the plan will be held across all islands, and the plans will be shaped according to the needs of all citizens, the President had affirmed.
