International community have pledged US$313 million of financial assistance over the next three years to the Maldives in a strong vote of confidence for the government and its ability to implement its policies and deliver its pledges.

At the end of this administration’s first donor conference, representatives from donor countries and multilateral organisations tied up the amount towards budgetary support and government’s priority areas.

These priority areas are closely linked to the conference’s key themes of macro economic reform, public sector reform, good governance, social development and climate change.

Speaking to the press following the conference President Mohamed Nasheed said this was a tremendous achievement for the Maldives and a strong vote of confidence for the government.

He said this assistance would help the government implement its policies and deliver its election pledges.

During the proceedings of the two day conference held at the Bandos Island Resort and Spa, representatives of donor countries and international organisations praised the Maldives’ smooth transition to democracy, government’s sound economic reform measures and proposed development policies. In particular donor countries commended the government’s openness, transparency and the candid nature with which they discussed the challenges faced by the Maldives.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, in making his concluding remarks of the conference, expressed his gratitude for the participants of the conference for the confidence they have shown in the country.

He said “We were elected by the people on the basis of a series of key pledges and to bring social change and democratic reform to a country reeling from the impact of economic mismanagement, authoritarianism and the global recession.”

Dr Waheed said the pledges that were made over the two days of conference demonstrated the donor community’s commitment to the Maldives and the government’s strong democratic mandate.

He further added “there is an abundance of goodwill and more assistance will be forthcoming with more follow up from our side.”

 Source: Presidents Office – Press Release, Ref. # 2010-244