Discussions have been held regarding the development and management of the boating industry in Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met executive committee members and senior officials of National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) on Tuesday, where the discussions took place.

As such, during the meeting held at the President’s Office on Tuesday afternoon, NBAM officials briefed the president on the challenges they face including the lack of a designated harbor for mooring large vessels and the need for an internationally recognized crew development programme in order to improve human resources in the boating industry.

Other issues that were shared with the president at the meeting include challenges in collateralizing sea vessels to secure loans, legislative issues that make operating international cruise lines in the Maldives inconvenient and the need for a national resource management plan to make the island nation’s natural resources more accessible to “all”.

NBAM’s executive committee members went on to stress on the lack of an office space.

Listening to these concerns, President Solih noted that the lagoon next to the “Dhiyanaru” lagoon in Kaafu atoll has been allocated specifically for docking purposes.

He added that the necessary land reclamation work is expected to begin in November 2022.

President Solih also assured the NBAM members that his administration will consult with the relevant authorities and ministries as well as stakeholders to find mutually satisfactory solutions to the issues raised at the meeting.

Founded in 2007, NBAM was previously known as the Liveaboard Association of Maldives.