India and the Maldives has inked seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects to be implemented through local bodies under the Indian grant assistance plan for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).

The MoUs were signed by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, as well as the relevant implementing agencies, according to the Maldives Foreign Ministry.

Members of Parliament, Island Councils, senior officials from the Maldives government, and the Indian High Commission also attended the ceremony. The projects launched under the MoUs will strengthen the Government's efforts in fostering socio-economic development in local communities by promoting health and wellbeing, youth empowerment, and the preservation and protection of culture and heritage, according to Maldives Foreign Minister Shahid, who spoke at the ceremony on Monday.

Shahid also expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for the crucial role it plays in encouraging the Maldives' socioeconomic growth. The projects that have been launched as a result of the MoUs signed today are valued a total of 26.8 million Rufiya (equivalent to approximately USD 1.7 million).

The projects include the creation of a mental health centre at Addu Equatorial Hospital, a speech and therapy unit at Kulhudhufushi Regional Hospital, a prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing workshop at Hulhumale' Hospital, the preservation of cultural sites in Noonu Landhoo Maabudhuge and Thaa Dhiyamigili Ganduvaru, the development of a multi-sports complex in Noonu Manadhoo, The overarching Memorandum of Understanding on Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies was signed between the Governments of the Maldives and India on March 17, 2019, for a total grant of 85 million Rufiya (equivalent to approximately 10 million USD), and was renewed on July 23, 2021, with an increment up to 155 million Rufiya (equivalent to approximately 10 million USD).

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