Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ The Maldives and Rwanda have recently reached an agreement to exempt visa requirements for up to 30 days, permitting nationals of both countries to enter, exit, or transit without visas. This agreement aims to strengthen the current bilateral ties between the two nations and encourage interpersonal contacts. The Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements was signed by the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, and his Rwandan counterpart, Vincent Biruta, during a ceremony held in London. The terms of the agreement apply to both single and multiple entries, and it is hoped that it will open up new opportunities for engagement between the two countries.
Following this ceremony, Minister Shahid thanked the Rwandan government for its commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. In addition, he hoped that the signing of the visa exemption MoU would create new opportunities for cooperation and people-to-people contact between the Maldives and Rwanda. Meanwhile, the Rwandan minister of foreign affairs also expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. Further, this is a positive development for both nations and an initiative towards greater cooperation in a variety of sectors, including tourism, trade, and investment.
Notably, nearly 100 countries grant Maldivian nationals visas upon arrival, making the Maldives’ passport one of the strongest in South Asia. Accordingly, the recent visa exemption agreement with Rwanda and Cambodia enables visa-free travel for Maldivian nationals and further strengthens the Maldives’ passport. This move is also anticipated to enhance the Maldives’ primary source of income, the tourism industry. With the initiation of visa-free travel, more visitors from Rwanda and Cambodia are expected to visit the Maldives, thereby contributing to the economy as well as fostering intercultural exchange.
Moreover, the Maldives government aims to boost the resilience and sustainability of its tourism industry, and the current visa exemption agreements are a testament to the island’s commitment in this direction. The Maldives is the most popular tourism destination in South Asia, popular for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life. It is anticipated that the recent agreements will attract even more visitors from around the world. It is also hoped that the agreement will lead to greater cooperation in various fields, including tourism, trade, and investment, and further boost the Maldives’ tourism industry.
