President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government’s privatisation programme would give us the expertise and technology from more experienced overseas companies. The President made this statement while speaking at the press conference held today at the President’s Office.

Noting the urgent need to provide utilities services and other infrastructure to the people of the Maldives, the President said that it would not be possible to provide these services from the state budget. The President said that it was, therefore, was of utmost importance to continue with the privatisation programme.

Speaking in this regard, the President said that the airport development was a high priority project undertaken by the government.

President Nasheed also said that the world has changed though the Maldives has not. Furthermore, he said that the world was now open for business and that we need to actively compete in this environment.

At today’s press conference, the President also took questions from the media.