The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, Matrek Al-Ajalin Aldosari, paid a farewell call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel, on Sunday morning, marking the end of his diplomatic tenure in the country.
Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé, the meeting reflected on the growing partnership between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia during Ambassador Aldosari’s term. Minister Khaleel expressed the Government’s deep appreciation for the Ambassador’s role in advancing the “brotherly relations” shared between the two nations. He praised the Ambassador’s efforts in fostering close cooperation across key sectors, including development, education, and religious affairs.
Ambassador Aldosari, in turn, thanked the Government and the people of the Maldives for the warm hospitality and support extended to him. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting shared interests.
Minister Khaleel highlighted the positive tone and friendship that characterised the Ambassador’s tenure and voiced confidence in the continued growth of ties under his successor. He also assured full cooperation and support from the Maldivian Government to the next appointed Ambassador and wished Aldosari success in his future endeavours.
The departure of Ambassador Aldosari comes at a time when relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia continue to evolve. The Kingdom remains a key development partner for the Maldives, particularly through support provided by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), which has financed several major infrastructure projects over the years, including road development and housing initiatives.
The two countries also share strong religious and cultural ties, underpinned by frequent high-level visits and cooperation in Islamic education. Saudi Arabia has provided scholarships and training opportunities for Maldivian students and Islamic scholars, contributing to capacity-building efforts in the Maldives’ religious sector.
In recent years, the Maldives has welcomed investments and aid from Saudi Arabia in the form of grants and concessional loans, supporting national development goals. Discussions have also taken place around tourism cooperation and the expansion of economic links, particularly in the wake of the Maldives’ active pursuit of investment partners from the Middle East.
As the Maldives continues to diversify its diplomatic and economic relations, the enduring partnership with Saudi Arabia remains significant, both in terms of financial support and shared geopolitical interests within the broader Islamic world.
