The Government of Japan pledges a grant worth USD1.9 million for the provision of one patrol vessel and USD400,000 for the provision of equipment to support the operation of the patrol vessel.

Malé, March 25, 2024 – The grant agreement was signed by Her Excellency Mrs. Takeuchi Midori, Ambassador of Japan to Maldives and His Excellency Mr. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Under the terms of the Exchange of Notes, the Government of Japan committed a grant of
two hundred and sixty million Japanese Yen (¥ 260,000,000), approximately USD 1.9 million for the provision of a patrol vessel and concurrently an additional fifty-six million Japanese Yen (¥ 56,000,000), approximately USD 400 thousand for the provision of equipment to support the operations of the patrol vessel.

In line with the assistance, a 25-meter reconditioned patrol vessel as well as equipment supporting maritime operation, including GPS navigation, receiver of weather information, marine radar, wireless telephone equipment will be provided to assist the efforts of Maldives Customs Service to implement agile law enforcement at sea and strengthen the capacity and cooperation of law enforcement agencies to combat the expansion of the illegal trade to ensure the safety and security of Maldivian citizens and maintain public order.

The Government of Japan hopes that this assistance will complement the ongoing efforts of the Government of Maldives to strengthen the system and capacity to address illegal maritime trade all across the archipelago.