State generates MVR 73 million as green tax in August

Statistics revealed by the Ministry of Finance Show that the government generated MVR 73 million as green tax in August, 2022.

The latest statistics publicized by the ministry show that the government generated MVR 681.6 million as green tax during by the end of August 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, MVR 70.8 million in June and MVR 61.4 million in July.

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 539.8 million from the Green Fund, so far in 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.

The state spent MVR 23.9 million in July and MVR 107 million in August.

During August, most of the green tax was generated from tourists visiting the resorts, with a total of MVR 69.3 million generated during the month. MVR 2.3 million was generated from tourists visiting guest houses and 1.09 million was generated from tourists visiting tourist hotels.

Statistics shows that MVR 419,797 was generated from tourists that visited live-aboard 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 so far in 2022, the balance now stands at MVR 849.9 million.

During the first half of 2022, the government has generated a total of 681.6 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.