The Government of the Maldives and the Government of Japan, today, signed a Joint Statement to introduce the Japanese ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) system at the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC). Minister of State for Tourism, Arts and Culture of the Maldives, Hon. Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, and the Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, Hon. Takashi Morita, who is currently on an official visit to the Maldives from 17 to 19 October 2011, signed the Joint Statement on behalf of the two respective countries. In accordance with the Joint Statement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives, Arts and Culture will collaborate in implementing the ISDB-T standard in the Maldives.
The test broadcasting of the system has already begun in the Maldives and it was inaugurated by Vice Minister Takashi Morita and State Minister Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, on 18th October 2011, at a special ceremony held at the MNBC TV studios in Male’, for this purpose.
During his visit Vice-Minister Takashi Morita paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives. He also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Transport and Communications, Hon. Adil Saleem, Minister of State for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, and other senior government officials, during his visit. The Special Envoy of the President Hon. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, hosted an official lunch for the Vice-Minister on behalf of the government.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of japan and the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture of the Maldives, jointly organized a seminar on the ISDB-T system on 18th October to coincide with the visit of Vice-Minister Morita.
The ISDB-T system is the Japanese standard for digital television (DTV) and digital radio. ISDB-T replaced the previously used MUSE “Hivision” analogue HDTV system. Brazil was the first country to officially adopt the ISDB-T Japanese system. Since then, Japan and Brazil have been cooperating to advance and spread the system all around the world. Several countries, especially in the South American region, have now adopted the system.
The Maldives is the second country in Asia to introduce the system. The Maldives believes that the system will not only bring high quality broadcasting services to its people, but also will help play an important role in disaster management, education, health services and contribute immensely to the overall socioeconomic development of the country.
