Japan Donates Vehicles and Equipment to Strengthen Border Control in Maldives

The Maldives Customs Service has received a significant donation of equipment and vehicles from the Government of Japan. The handover ceremony was held at the Maldives Customs Service headquarters in Malé, where the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Her Excellency Mrs. Takeuchi Midori, formally presented the equipment and vehicles to the Minister of Defence, Her Excellency Uza Mariya Ahmed Didi, and Commissioner General of Maldives Customs Service, Mr. Abdulla Shareef.

The donation includes one Toyota Van, one Toyota Wagon, and two Mazda Sedan cars, along with two spare parts of vehicles. Additionally, the donation also comprises eight handy-type Raman spectrometers, four counterfeit bill detectors, two mobile X-ray scanners, three spare parts of equipment, one lot of spare parts for Mazda, and one box and one pallet of spare parts for vehicles. The equipment and vehicles were provided as part of the Economic and Social Development Programme, following an Exchange of Notes signed between the Governments of Japan and the Maldives in May 2020.

The grant, worth ¥500,000,000, which is approximately USD 4.68 million and Maldivian Rufiyya 72.6 million, aims to boost the operational readiness of the Maldives Customs Service and Maldives Immigration to enhance public safety and protection. The Government of Japan hopes that this donation will contribute to secure economic and social development in the Maldives, while also strengthening border control in the region.

This donation is a significant boost for the Maldives Customs Service, and the equipment and vehicles provided will help bolster their capacity and capability for border control, further enhancing public safety and security in the Maldives.