President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met with Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The high-level meeting focused on advancing digital financial services and promoting greater government transparency in the Maldives.
Power praised the Maldives’ ambitious development plans and reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to collaborating with the nation on several fronts, including introducing PayPal services. Enabling PayPal in the Maldives would represent a significant step in enhancing the country’s digital economy, expanding access to global financial systems for businesses and individuals alike.
Strengthening the Maldives’ Financial Infrastructure
PayPal’s introduction is seen as a key component of President Muizzu’s broader vision to modernise the Maldives’ financial infrastructure, making transactions more efficient and secure for businesses and consumers. With the rise of e-commerce and increasing demand for international trade, having PayPal as a trusted digital payment platform would allow Maldivians to access global markets with ease.
The potential move to bring PayPal to the Maldives could particularly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who would gain greater flexibility in managing payments and receiving funds from international clients. This aligns closely with the government’s goals of promoting entrepreneurship and increasing the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
Open Government Partnership and Transparency
In addition to PayPal, the two leaders discussed the Maldives’ potential membership in the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a global initiative aimed at fostering transparency and accountability in governance. Ms. Power expressed USAID’s willingness to support the Maldives in this endeavor, which aligns with President Muizzu’s commitment to modern governance reforms.
By joining the OGP, the Maldives would adopt international standards for open governance, enhancing its reputation for transparency and strengthening its ties with global institutions. This move would also signal the country’s readiness to engage with citizens more directly, fostering public trust through increased access to government data and decision-making processes.
Collaboration on Future Development Initiatives
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to work together on initiatives that support the Maldives’ long-term development goals. Power reiterated USAID’s interest in supporting the country’s digital transformation and its efforts to build a more inclusive economy.
