News

Foreigners aren’t being sold land; they are being leased land for 99 years: President Office

Published

1 year ago

09/02/2023

Foreigners aren’t being sold land from Thilafushi, but rather, they are being leased land for 99 years, states the President’s Office.

In a press conference Thursday, President’s Office spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed said the government hasn’t decided to sell land from Thilafushi, and does not even have the authority to. He said the opposition was deliberately misleading the public regarding the project.

“Foreigners cannot own land in Maldives. Its clearly stated in the law. So, we will not do it. And that its even what’s in the announcement,” he said.

Muivaan said that it is not just local businesses that operate in Maldives, but also foreign businesses. He said that foreign investors must be issued land from Maldives.

He pointed out that foreign investors are already issued land for long term for resort development.

“We are talking about the lease of land from an industrial island. Some politicians are trying to distort this to push their political agendas. They know very well that foreigners cannot own land in Maldives,” he said.

Muivaan said that 90 percent of the land issued from Thilafushi are allotted for local businesses.

Foreigners will not be sold land, they will be leased land, he said.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) released its policies on the sale of land from the industrial area in Thilafushi last week. According to the policies, while local businesses have the chance to own the land, foreign businesses can only purchase the land for up to 99 years.

The minimum bidding rate is MVR 1,700 per square foot.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum comes to Maldives

Published

31 mins ago

12/05/2024

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum for 2024 has been scheduled to be held in the Maldives.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the forum will be held in the Maldives, noting it was privilege to become the forum’s host.

Besides this, the minister welcomed the high-level representation from Climate Finance Network (CFN) countries, and added the he was eager to “witness quick translation of forum outcomes into tangible action”.

The Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum will be organized and hosted by the ministry in association with the UNDP Maldives, with the support of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The forum aims to encourage the sustainability of ocean resources, improvement of economic prowess and employment scope related to the maritime and fisheries sectors.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

17 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

17 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew