USAID & Marriott Collaborate for Maldives' Sustainable Growth

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Marriott Maldives Business Council, an affiliate of Marriott International, Inc., in a significant step toward fostering local economic development and long-term partnerships.

The recently signed agreement calls for USAID and the seven Marriott International properties in the Maldives to work together to explore ways to improve mutually beneficial partnership with local islands. This effort is part of the Sister Islands relationship, which is a critical component of USAID's Democracy Delivers initiative, which strives to improve democracies throughout the world by providing citizens with concrete benefits.

The cooperation will promote interactions between resort islands and local island councils, women's development committees, and commercial sector players. The objective is to provide economic, social, and environmental advantages to the local island people, with a focus on increasing possibilities for women and youth. Tourism excursions to adjacent inhabited islands, increased resort employment for local island residents, collaborative trash recycling activities, and marketing of locally derived agricultural goods are examples of possible options.

USAID is fostering relationships between local islands and the business sector by linking the commercial interests of resorts with sustainable development goals. This strategy not only broadens USAID's development reach, but also assists the private sector in forming long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations. This collaboration demonstrates a dedication to having a beneficial influence on the local community while also supporting Maldives development goals.