Home Minister: Important to strike balance to simultaneously safeguard independence and improve economy

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has said that it is important for Maldives to open its doors to foreign investments without compromising the country’s independence through overdependence.

Speaking at the flag-hoisting event to mark the country’s 49th Independence Day, Home Minister Umar Naseer said that the country’s political independence and its economic independence are intertwined and that Maldives must be careful to strike the proper balance to preserve its freedom.

“This is a very thin and delicate rope that our leaders today have to handle when we deal with foreign partners for economic purposes. It is not easy to balance such a thin piece of rope,” said Umar Naseer.

The Home Minister said that the government's economic policies are clear and well defined and praised the government for its economic vision. He also noted that the conventional ways of depriving a country of its liberty and independence has changed and said that in the new age, a country's independence is threatened through penetrating the economy.

“As it opens its economic doors to the international world through the economic zones, the principals to safeguard the country’s sovereignty will be defined by the necessary laws. The areas that would need to be fastened will be properly secured. In this, there will be no neglect or carelessness. There will not be even a minor deprivation to the people’s rights or identity,” said Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer.