Nasheed: Improve Island Economies and Bring Male’ Quality of Life to Communities

The Chairperson of the MDP and former President, Mohamed Nasheed, has stated that the purpose of the investment forum held during the party’s congress is to improve the economic conditions of local islands and provide residents with the quality of life they seek in Male' within their own communities.

In his remarks at the opening of the investment forum during the MDP Congress on Friday, President Nasheed emphasized the critical importance of local councils initiating and executing their own development projects.

As you are aware, Kinbidhoo no longer has a Grade 1 class. There are numerous other islands facing the same predicament, where islands are gradually becoming depopulated. Next year, there will be no Grade 2, and the year after, Grade 3 will cease to exist. Meanwhile, the vast majority of new projects are being concentrated in the Male' area, with developments like Ras Male' and various other "Male'" expansions. We already have Hulhumale' and Villingili, and now Ras Male' is being added. A massive influx of projects is being directed here. Consequently, residents from islands across the Maldives will naturally migrate to these hubs in search of employment, income, education for their children, healthcare, recreation, and a better quality of life. This is a choice anyone would make. Our objective, however, is to ensure that such a quality of life can be achieved within the islands themselves.

The Chairperson of the MDP, former President Mohamed Nasheed.

President Nasheed stated that such a standard of living can only be achieved in the islands by creating local job opportunities. He further noted that state-owned enterprises should not be the sole mechanism for circulating wealth within island communities.

President Nasheed stated that while Fenaka hiring 100 people from each island is a positive move that helps circulate money within the community, it is not enough to maintain a sustainable island economy. He further noted that a stable economy and genuine employment opportunities can only be secured through the establishment of robust and viable businesses.

He stated that the party's project office has been collaborating with local councils. According to Nasheed, the councils have already submitted 100 business projects as part of this initiative.

President Nasheed stated that the path is now clear for entrepreneurs interested in investing in council projects to collaborate with local authorities, noting that such ventures would directly benefit the residents of those islands. Nasheed further emphasized that these initiatives would financially empower local councils, ultimately boosting the general economy and improving the living standards of island communities.