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Country’s debt remained unyielding despite post-COVID recovery

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has emphasised that despite the economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s debt did not decrease, attributing it to the imprudent policies and wasteful practices of the previous government.

Delivering his Presidential Address, President Dr. Muizzu assessed the economic condition upon assuming office, identified contributing factors, and outlined his initiatives to address the challenges.

Additionally, President Dr. Muizzu acknowledged that despite a positive economic outlook, significant challenges persist in the state’s finances. He highlighted the widening revenue-expenditure gap and an escalating fiscal deficit to an unsustainable level. He pointed out that the budget deficit reached USD900 million in 2020 due to the pandemic-induced economic slowdown, noting that the 2019 deficit was even higher at USD950 million.

Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu stated that upon assuming office, the country was burdened with debt, revealing that approximately USD520 million had been printed to meet state expenditures in the last five years, which is an amount incomparable to the total printed in the previous four decades. He emphasised that the government inherited high debt in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), coupled with an increase in administrative and staffing expenses to unprecedented levels.

Moreover, President Dr. Muizzu said that the financial and debt situation of the government has proven more challenging than anticipated at the outset of its term. As such, he said that a strategy has been devised to restore debt sustainability, in the Week 14 Roadmap. He also outlined the government’s planned efforts to minimise the long-term burden on state finances.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Maldivian FM meets Qatari PM; both commit to stronger ties

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Maldives and Qatar reaffirm the commitment to strengthening the partnership between the two countries on Sunday, in a meeting between Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar.

Zameer, who is on an official visit to Qatar, met with Al Thani on Sunday morning.

At the meeting, Zameer reflected on the growing Maldives-Qatar partnership, and thanked Qatar for the generous assistance in Maldives’ socio-economic development.

According to a statement released by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, both Zameer and Al Thani reiterated the commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Zameer also conveyed appreciation for Qatar’s role in the mediation process on the Gaza crisis.

Both reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the partnership in the multilateral fora on matters of global concern.

Zameer was accompanied at the meeting by Secretary, Bilateral, Dr. Hala Hameed, Ambassador-at-Large, Dr. Fazeel Najeeb, and Assistant Director, Lamha Saleem.

This year will mark the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Maldives and Qatar.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Zameer is also scheduled to meet with other senior officials from the Qatari government to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation in various sectors between the two countries.

Zameer’s latest trip comes at the heels of a similar visit to India last week.

Source(s): sun.mv

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President recognises forefront services of nurses

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has praised the dedicated efforts of nurses, stating that they fulfil a national obligation by providing forefront services. He made the remarks on a social media post, commemorating International Nurses Day.

In the post shared on social media, President Dr. Muizzu recognised the unwavering commitment of nurses, characterising their contributions and services as a valuable, significant responsibility for humanity. The president additionally commended the dedication of nurses for ensuring the provision of cutting edge care.

The International Nurses Day is annually celebrated on May 12, aiming to acknowledge the pivotal role nurses play, as they are the backbone of the healthcare system. The theme for International Nurses Day 2024 is “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.” The purpose of selecting the theme was to emphasise the significance of reshaping perceptions of the economic and societal advantages of the nursing field, such that nursing can be seen as an investment rather than a cost.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Government launches Hope Island for crime-exposed kids

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The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced the launch of Hope Island, a rehabilitation initiative aimed at children exposed to crime.

Speaking at a collaborative press briefing involving agencies under the homeland ministry, Minister Ali Ihusaan outlined the planning efforts for Hope Island. He emphasised the provision of fundamental education and religious guidance for the children residing there. He also highlighted the implementation of psychosocial intervention and sports programmes on the island.

Additionally, Minister Ihusaan disclosed that children would reside on Hope Island until they turn 18 years, and serve a designated term in either the Maldives Police Service (MPS) or the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Subsequently, he said that they would be granted opportunities to pursue their chosen careers.

Furthermore, Minister Ihusaan announced a reduction in the age of criminal responsibility to 15 years, with previous advocacy for lowering it to 12 years. He cited instances of 12-year-olds engaging in criminal activities and revealed ongoing legal initiatives, in collaboration with the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), to effect the change.

Moreover, Minister Ihusaan revealed plans to direct 12-year-old offenders to Hope Island for rehabilitation, with a dedicated facility established to mitigate exposure to criminal influences. He also disclosed intentions to develop a separate island specifically for this rehabilitation facility.

Source(s): PsmNews

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