(JUNE 24-30)

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has stated that Maldives had a total of $284 million in Foreign Direct Investment in 2012, an increase of 11 percent compared to 2011. 1

According to reports, Chinese hospital ship “Peace Ark”, arrived in the Maldives on June 29, 2013, for a visit conducted under the theme “Mission Harmony 2013” organized by Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in collaboration with the PLA Navy. 2

In other developments, according to reports, Saudi Arabian organisation Rabita al-Alam al-Islami (Muslim World League) has opened an office in the Maldives on June 30, 2013 and signed an agreement with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs regarding providing support to the Maldives in various areas. Speaking at the ceremony held at the Islamic Ministry to sign the agreement, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that the agreement and the establishment of an office of Rabita al-Alam al-Islami in the Maldives would facilitate assistance to the Maldives in social, religious and humanitarian issues. Minister Shaheem also said that a non-operational office of Rabita al-Alam al-Islami had existed in the Maldives for about 15 years. 3

• 1. “Maldives Foreign Direct Investment at $248 million last year”, The Sun Online, June 27, 2013 at http://sun.mv/english/13807.
• 2. “Mission Commander of Chinese hospital ship calls on Defence Minister”, The Sun Online, June 30, 2013 at http://sun.mv/english/13908.
• 3. “Rabita al-Alam al-Islami opens an office in Maldives”, The Sun Online, June 30, 2013 at http://sun.mv/english/13907.