Small islands and sandbanks need to be leased for tourism purposes – President

Monday, April 19th, 2010

President Nasheed has said that government would very soon formulate a policy to lease small islands and sandbanks near tourist resorts, rather than contracting an individual to manage the island for a nominal charge. Speaking in his weekly radio address he also said those small islands would not be usable for agriculture, and government needs to utilize the islands and sandbanks for something more viable than that.

He also noted that there are many such islands and sandbanks near Maldivian resorts and government, as a first step, would create a registry of such islands.

President noted that there are 300 islands which are smaller than a hector and that there are more than 200 sandbanks in the country. He also said that experts believe that those islands and banks could be used for tourism and ecological purposes than using them for agriculture and fisheries sectors. President also noted that in reality these islands and sandbanks are being used by the resorts and safaris even now, but pays nothing for the state.

Reader Comments

  1. Thanks yr Excellency Nasheed, This has to happen long ago not now,the previous Government did not do anything due to the Resort owners were supporting so was waived and left upon to them. Quickly send amendments to majilis and Tourism Ministry to act through law and get all the income to Government.

    Posted by Dawood | April 19, 2010, 11:27 am

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