The first permission under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, has been extended to establish a floating solar system in the Greater Male’ region.

The project was greenlit at the third meeting of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Board of Investment, held on Wednesday.

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reported it had extended the project approval to Canada’s Abraxas Power Corp, which it is set to run in partnership with Sungrow Power Supply Co Limited.

Under the project, a 150-megawatt floating photovoltaic (PV) power plant and supporting infrastructure would be established, while additional fund injection would required to connect the project to the main electrical grid in the Greater Male’ region.

The initiative is aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of expanding renewable energy share in the national power supply network to 33% by 2028.

While the renewable plan will pave way towards expanding the alternative utility footprint in the Maldives, President Muizzu announced receipt of a large-scale proposal under the SEZ on December 24th, 2023 – days after the government decided to reduce the lowest project value for an SEZ initiative.

Earlier on December 17 last year, President Muizzu reduced the lowest project value of an SEZ projects to USD 100 million, which previously stood at USD 150 million.

The SEZ Act was first introduced in 2015 under which special economic zones focused towards developing various economic initiatives were set.

President Muizzu pledged to inroduce special economic zones across the Maldives and open up foreign investment prospects.

Source(s): sun.mv

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has emphasised the government’s endeavor to enhance food security through the Uthuru Thila Falhu project, aiming to curtail imports.

In an interview with a private media outlet, Minister Saeed underscored the significance of locally sourced products in ensuring food security for citizens. He also highlighted plans for island-level production.

Additionally, Minister Saeed outlined a upcoming initiative set to launch in Uthuru Thila Falhu, focusing on bolstering food security by cultivating ample fruits, vegetables, and seafood to cater to both resorts and residential areas across the nation. He said that the project aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision for the country, aiming to transform Uthuru Thila Falhu into a pivotal food hub.

Furthermore, Minister Saeed disclosed that the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone has entrusted the China Harbour Engineering Company with reclaiming land and establishing an agricultural zone in Uthuru Thila Falhu. The project includes the creation of a specialized agricultural zone serving as a pivotal distribution center for agricultural products and inputs.

Source(s): PsmNews

Six independent candidates who were elected to the Parliament in the recent elections have signed with the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

In the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, PNC had endorsed several independent candidates over those contesting on the party’s ticket.

A spokesperson from the PNC confirmed on Wednesday that six independent candidates have signed with the party.

All six joined PNC on Tuesday.

They are:

• Dr. Anara Naeem: Huraa constituency
• Hassan Zareer: Mathiveri constituency
• Ahmed Zameer: Central Machangolhi constituency
• Ahmed Riyaz: Thimarafushi constituency
• Yaseen Abdulla: Naifaru constituency
• Azim Abdul Azeez: Vilingili constituency

The PNC had secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s elections; winning 66 out of 93 seats. With the six MP-elects who signed on Tuesday, the ruling party will have 72 seats in the next parliamentary assembly.

This does not take into account the candidates from other parties backed by the government; Maldives National Party (MNP)’s leader Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)’s leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, and Mohamed Abbas – a political from MDA who won the Velidhoo seat.

The MP-elects who signed with PNC on Tuesday includes former party members who lost the PNC primaries held in January. They later ran in the elections as independent candidates, with the government backing their candidacy over that of the ruling party’s own candidates.

This includes Zameer and Ahmed Riyaz. Their rival PNC candidates had later dropped out of the race and backed their candidacy.

Meanwhile, Hassan Zareer, the incumbent Mathiveri MP, had won the 2019 elections on a ticket from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). But he, along with 13 other lawmakers from MDP, defected to PNC after MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost re-election.

In this year’s polls, Zareer ran for re-election as an independent candidate, but with the government’s backing.

The move by the six independent MP-elects to join PNC comes after the MDP-majority Parliament passed an anti-defection bill on April 1.

The bill, which stipulates that parliamentarians will lose their seat for floor crossing, was signed into law by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last week.

Meanwhile, a separate bill to include anti-defection provisions in the constitution is in the works in the Parliament.

The 20th parliamentary assembly will be sworn in on May 28.

Source(s): sun.mv