Tokyo, 14th March 2008

The Maldives Ambassador to Japan, H. E. Mr. Abdul Hameed Zakariyya, today signed a contract with Wakachiku Construction Co. Ltd. of Japan for the construction of a second girls’ secondary school in Male’, the capital of the Maldives, after the company emerged successful in the bid for the project.

The Japanese Yen 607,300,000 project is being funded by the Government of Japan under its grant assistance. Mr. Yojiro Watanabe, Director and Executive Officer of Wakachiku Construction Co. Ltd., signed the contract for and on behalf of the Company. According to the contract, the Contractor shall complete the project within 12 months of the notice of commencement of works issued by the Consultant for the project, Mohri Architect and Associates, Inc., Japan.

Both, Wakachiku Construction Co. Ltd. and Mohri Architect and Associates, Inc. have significiant previous experience with projects in the Maldives. Japan has been assisting the Maldives generously since the late 70s in the development of educational infrastructure, particularly in the construction of schools, apart from other programmes of assistance. Japan has assisted the Maldives in the construction of 15 community schools in the islands and 3 primary schools in the capital Male’.

The Maldives today has achieved a literacy rate of 98% and is hoping to convert the Maldives College of Higher Education to a university during the course of the year as announced by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in his opening address to the People’s Majlis (the Parliament) on 28th February 2008.

Of the Maldives 300,00 population, nearly one third are students.