Male’, Maldives – In a bold move to boost the tourism sector, the government has pledged to clear the hurdles stalling resort development projects across the nation rather than canceling existing contracts with investors. Speaking on PSM News’ “Raajje Miadhu” programme, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim announced that authorities have identified 68 islands leased for resort development where projects have languished, with some sites facing delays of up to eight years.
“The focus now is not on dwelling on the reasons behind these delays, but on finding practical solutions and moving forward,” Minister Thoriq stated. He emphasized that the President’s vision is to streamline the process for investors, which includes tweaking existing laws and regulations to simplify procedures and accelerate project approvals.
Addressing concerns about bureaucratic red tape, the Minister highlighted that one of the major complaints from the industry is the lengthy process of obtaining approvals for detailed designs, as well as financial and legal permits. “We are establishing an engineering consultancy pool as an accreditation checker to expedite these approvals. Soon, consultants will be onboarded, and permit processing will become much quicker,” he explained.
The minister also underscored the government’s commitment to nurturing the tourism sector. Currently, 176 resorts are operational while another 165 are under development, and the industry is set to expand further with an additional six resorts expected to open this year, adding 1,290 beds to the market.
By working closely with investors, the government aims to not only resume stalled projects but also to address the underlying challenges that have hindered progress. This strategic approach is seen as vital for strengthening the Maldives’ economic future and maintaining its status as a leading tourist destination.
As the government moves forward with these initiatives, industry stakeholders remain hopeful that these reforms will pave the way for rapid and sustainable development, benefiting both investors and the broader economy.
