The President assures efforts to facilitate ease for Maldivians residing in Türkiye

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said on Monday evening that the administration is committed to implementing measures to improve the lives of Maldivians residing in Türkiye. The President gave the assurance while speaking at a special meeting held with the Maldivian community residing in Türkiye. The meeting was held at the Nation's Library in the capital, Ankara, Türkiye.

During the meeting, the President inquired about the needs of the community and the challenges they encountered. Participants shared their daily struggles at the meeting and emphasised the need for government facilitation. They specifically highlighted the absence of a Maldivian embassy in Türkiye and the constraints on cash withdrawals abroad imposed by the Bank of Maldives.

Furthermore, attendees disclosed the grief experienced by trainees due to the difficulties involved in travelling back to the Maldives during the holidays. They also implored the possibility of seeking more scholarships and training opportunities for Maldivians.

Speaking at the meeting, President Dr Muizzu said that the government is actively working on establishing an embassy in Türkiye. The President also assured that the administration is in talks with the Bank of Maldives (BML) to address the concerns of cash withdrawal limitations.

Further, the President disclosed that, following deliberations with Türkiye officials today, a decision was reached to allocate 30 scholarship opportunities to the Maldives for 2024, with applications expected to open in January.

Emphasizing the administration's commitment to ensuring ease for Maldivian students studying abroad, the President assured that concerns would be proactively addressed through consultations with relevant ministries. He added that the government will extend its full support to local students pursuing their education overseas, thereby reinforcing its commitment to the academic success of its students.

Concluding the meeting, President Dr. Muizzu acknowledged Türkiye's ongoing contributions to the economic development of the Maldives. He expressed steadfast confidence in nurturing and enhancing the bilateral relations with Türkiye in the future.