WAM A delegation from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), headed by Director-General Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, has concluded a high-level mission to the Maldives. The primary purpose of the visit was to sign a public sector loan agreement in support of the country's health sector and discuss OFID's current operations, as well as future avenues of cooperation. These and other topics were covered during talks with the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Waheed, and other senior officials.

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a collective channel of aid to the developing countries. UAE is one of the twelve member countries in the OFID.

The newly-signed USD8.4 million loan agreement will co-finance the Hithadhoo Regional Hospital Project, which will construct a new 100 bed-capacity facility as the present one is only equipped to handle routine medical care. Signing the agreement on behalf of OFID was Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, who said the new hospital would deliver a wide range of specialized and emergency medical services, benefiting around 76,000 people. 

The agreement was co-signed by Abdulla Jihad, Minister of Finance of the Maldives. The project is also being funded by the Maldivian Government and the Saudi Fund for Development.