Work is underway to establish Maldivian diplomatic missions in Italy, Egypt, South Africa and Australia, the Foreign Ministry says.

In a response under the Right to Information Act, the ministry said preparations were underway to establish missions in the four countries. However, the response did not include opening dates.

The government previously announced plans to open an embassy in Italy. Italy has granted permission to establish the embassy and is a major source of tourists to the Maldives.

The Maldives already has consulates in all four countries where the new missions are planned. The current government most recently opened embassies in Türkiye and Qatar.