Finance Minister Zareer Seeks Infrastructure Financing During Doha Visit
- Finance Minister Zareer discussed a potential emergency line of credit with the OPEC Fund in Doha, though no size, scope, or agreement has been confirmed.
- At the AIIB annual meeting, Zareer held talks with Kuwait's and Qatar's finance ministers on health, coastal protection, trade, and future development projects.
- Zareer also met Qatar National Bank's Group CEO to explore financial cooperation and investment partnerships, with no specific commitment announced.
Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Hassan Zareer has raised the possibility of an emergency line of credit for the Maldives during talks with the OPEC Fund in Doha, where he is attending the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s annual meeting.
Minister Zareer met OPEC Fund President Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa to discuss potential projects under a Country Partnership Framework signed in January. According to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, the talks also covered future support for water and sanitation, harbours and ports.
The proposed credit facility was discussed as a way to provide emergency financing. The ministry has not said how large it would be, what it would cover or whether the OPEC Fund has agreed to establish it.
Minister Zareer also met Kuwait’s Finance Minister, Dr Yaqoub Al Sayed Al Rifai. Their discussions covered existing cooperation in health and coastal protection, along with possible future development projects involving the Government of Kuwait and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
In a separate meeting with Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar National Bank, Minister Zareer discussed financial cooperation and opportunities for investment and development partnerships. No specific investment or financing commitment was announced.
Minister Zareer met Qatar’s Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, during the visit. Qatar News Agency said they discussed economic and trade relations and ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.
The AIIB annual meeting is being held in Doha on 28 and 29 September, bringing government and development finance representatives together for discussions on infrastructure investment.
