Maldives’ economic prosperity is heavily dependent on the status of domestic affairs, said Vice President Abdulla Jihad.

Jihad, who was previously Finance Minister under the current administration, said at the event held to commemorate the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority’s (MIRA) seventh anniversary, where the tax institution had also conferred its ‘Ran Laari’ award.

In his address, Vice President Jihad had advocated that the people of the country take a more active role in deterring elements within society that hinder its development and poses threats to its stability.

He further said that, for the country to develop, its people must first put their focus into increasing overall productivity.

“Only by increasing our productivity, can we stabilize our economy” Jihad said.

Jihad had then addressed MIRA’s employees and said that their role in building trust amongst the public is of utmost importance.

The Vice President himself had conferred the ‘Ran Laari’ awards. This award was given to businesses that have consistently paid the most in taxes to the authority.