MORONI — Azali Assoumani, president of the Union of the Comoros Islands, joined government officials and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the Comoros to inaugurate a new road network, 100% funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

The new roads will serve half a million residents as they use the new 23 km-long Airport-Qalawa Road on Grande Comore Island, as well as the 12 km Dundee-Langoni Road in Anjouan Island. The new roads will provide faster and more efficient movement of people and goods as well as better access to markets in urban centers.

Over recent years, the number of SFD-financed projects in Comoros Islands reached seven projects, estimated at more than $80 million. These projects serve 820.000 Comoros Islands' citizens and support all essential sectors in the country, including the transportation, health, education and potable water sectors.

During the inauguration ceremony, Assoumani praised the Kingdom's contributions and support of the islands nation's development plans. Saudi Arabia's support is highlighted through SFD's role in developing the infrastructure of the Comoros Islands. The president emphasized the positive impact of these projects in changing the country's development landscape.

Ibrahim Al Turki, advisor to SFD said, "The SFD and the government of Comoros have a long history of working together. Our efforts aim to improve the quality of life for the people of the Comoros, and to ensure the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)'s through facilitating their access to new markets."

The ceremony was attended by Syed Ali Sheikhan, minister of finance and budget in Comoros, Minister of Roads and Infrastructure Abdullah Said Sermay, the Governor of Anjouan Island Anis Shamseddine and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the Comoros Dr. Hamad Al Hajiri.

The SFD is one of the largest contributors to sustainable development aid, promoting stability and prosperity since 1975. The SFD has financially contributed to more than 1,000 international development projects through loan and grant mechanisms. — AETOSWire