Statistics revealed by the Ministry of Finance Show that the government generated MVR 70.8 million as green tax in May, 2022.

The latest statistics publicized by the ministry show that the government generated MVR 846.6 million as green tax during the first six months of 2022.

As such, MVR 95.2 million was generated in January, followed by MVR 91.4 million in February, MVR 105.7 million in March, MVR 87.3 million in April, MVR 96.6 million in May and MVR 70.8 million in June.

While the highest amount was generated in March, April showed a drastic decrease compared to the amount generated in March. Statistics shows that the state generated more green tax in May, compared to April. However, the income generated from green tax during June saw a decrease compared to the amount generated in May.

Additionally, the statistics also show that the state has spent MVR 408.7 million from the Green Fund, during the first half of 2022.

While, MVR 11.8 million was spent during January, MVR 107.8 million was spent in February. The state spent MVR 140.5 million from the Green Fund during March and MVR 59.7 million in April.

During May, MVR 356.8 million was spent from the green fund, and MVR 51.9 million was spend during June 2022.

During June, most of the green tax was generated from tourists visiting the resorts, with a total of MVR 66.7 million generated during the month. MVR 1.7 million was generated from tourists visiting guest houses and 1.04 million was generated from tourists visiting tourist hotels.

Statistics shows that MVR 1.4 million was generated from tourists that visited liveaboard vessels during June.

Expenditure from the green fund was mostly for projects such as establishment of sewer systems, coastal protection, land reclamation and revetment, water and sewerage systems as well as water supply networks among several other works.

By the end of 2021, the fund had a balance of MVR 708.2 million. With inflows and outflows during the first six months of 2022, the balance now stands at MVR 846.6 million.

During the first half of 2022, the government has generated a total of 547 million as green tax.

Green tax is a tax payable by tourists who stay in tourist resorts, tourist hotels and tourist vessels. Maldives began collecting Green Tax during 2016.

Green tax is payable at the rate of 6 United States Dollars per day of stay from tourist resorts, tourist hotels and tourist vessels, and 3 United States Dollars per day of stay from tourist guesthouses.

Maldivians and resident permit holders are not required to pay Green Tax.