Shahid meets with heads of AIIB, BUCG International

Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has met with senior officials from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) International as part of his ongoing official visit to China.

Shahid traveled to Beijing on his first official visit to China since assuming office on Tuesday, September 17.

Shahid met with D Jagatheesa Pandian, vice president and chief investment officer of AIIB at AIIB’s headquarters in Beijing on Wednesday.

Shahid, during the meeting, briefed Pandian regarding the Maldivian government’s economic agenda and exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation between the Maldivian government and AIIB. Meanwhile, Pandian provided assurance of AIIB’s support to the Maldivian government towards achieving its development agenda.

The meeting with Pandian followed a meeting with Chairman Chen Daihua, president of BUCG International.

During the meeting, Shahid and Daihua discussed the importance of BUCG International’s ongoing projects in Maldives, and Daihua expressed BUCG International’s interest in collaborating with the Maldivian government in future development projects.

The foreign minister is scheduled for additional meetings with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and the Chinese vice president Wang Qishan.

Speaking to Sun ahead of his departure to China, Shahid said the Maldivian government planned on reinforcing its ties with China and exploring new avenues for mutual benefit.

Shahid also said that he expected his visit to speed up the development projects initiated by China in Maldives.