WE AND OUR NEIGHBOURS
Need to treat investors with respect

Ali Naseem

International relations work on the basis of respect and reciprocity. If these are the criteria for having good relations with other countries then it is high time that we, as a nation, introspect vis-à-vis our relations with our neighbours.

We, the citizens of Maldives should expect more explanation from the Government of Maldives on the GMR issue. Here is a company from a friendly neighbouring country, which has signed an agreement with Government of Maldives after going through processes that lasted several months. However, one fine morning we are told that the Government of Maldives is asking the company to halt work on a new terminal which is badly needed for the country. Maldives may have to pay huge compensation for the halted work.

This is the single largest investment in our country and, therefore, a test case for the Maldives. It is also a test case for how Maldivians are treating foreigners in general and foreign investments in particular. Did the Government of President Waheed promise to the foreign partners that all the agreements and MOU’s signed by the previous Governments will be honoured? And, if so, what is the hurry in trying to disrupt one of the most valuable contracts signed with the foreign company? We need to watch over our actions very carefully. The world too is watching us.

If reciprocity is applied and tomorrow India decides to take retaliatory action, the consequences will be serious. This was reflected in recent development which also projected by our media in a mischievous manner. The Tuticorin Port has issued certain regulation governing ships of different types. This applies to Indian as well as all foreign vessels. Without examining the matter our media projected that Government of India has barred Maldivian ships from entering Tuticorin. Is this the way we report on an important development? However, this is not the end of the story. While the new regulations were made effective and circulated, our Government did not approach the Indian High Commission to ask for the details or sort out the issues. However, Miadhu understands that the Indian High Commission had on its own taken up the issue of Maldivian ships and had obtained an exemption for three months without even getting a formal letter from the Government of Maldives. The promptness has saved our essential supplies during the holy month of Ramadan. However, media has not taken care to project this initiative by the Indian Government to exempt the Maldivian ships for the next three months from its regulation. If similar regulation would have been issued by Government of Maldives, I wonder how much time we would have taken to sort out the issues that might arise from such regulation. Somehow, it seems, we fail to understand how apparently simple but senseless acts can completely ruin the relationship with friendly countries.