The Norwegian statement at the conference:
“Excellencies,
Norway’s support to the Maldives has earlier ranged from fisheries development, post-tsunami reconstruction and support for civil society, to election observation. Our current support goes to projects in the fields of financial infra structure and environment.
In 2010, as in some previous years, Norway is providing financial support to the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) projects in the Maldives, specifically projects by SEDF, in three key areas. Firstly, the strengthening of financial infra structure through the credit bureau project conducted together with Maldives Monetary Authority. Secondly, Small and Medium sized Enterprise advice and linkages, especially with agri-business. Thirdly, the cleaner production project in collaboration with Maldivian resorts.
Norway also supports a regional programme by the World Conservation Union , IUCN, through which we have helped setting up small scale and large scale grants for environmental initiatives in the Maldives.
We feel reassured by the excellent presentations and discussions at this conference that our support is in line with the priorities of the Government of Maldives and the country’s needs. Let us assure you of Norway’s continuation of this type of support to the Maldives in the future.
Thank you”