President Yameen to discuss bridge project with Chinese Vice President

Minister at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef has said that President Abdulla Yameen will hold discussions with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao regarding the Malé-Hulhulé Bridge Project, as part of President Yameen’s ongoing visit to China.

Mohamed Hussain Shareef said this while talking to reporters prior to his departure to Kunming, China, to attend the 23rd Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair.

He said that the final agreement on the bridge project between Maldives and China, worth CNY 20 million, will be signed during this visit.

The next step would be the “financing negotiation”, which will take place through the China-Maldives Joint Commission, said Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

Maldivian officials included in the China-Maldives Joint Commission are Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adeeb, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon.

Chinese officials in the commission are representatives of China’s Ministry of Commerce, and Exim Bank.

Regarding funding for the bridge project, Mohamed Hussain Shareef said that financing options had been included in the survey report and details would be finalised later, but it was likely that a major part of the project would be covered through free financial aid from China.