The People’s Majlis, Maldives’ unicameral parliament, has on Wednesday night approved a state budget of over MVR 30.2 billion for 2019.

The budget, the largest in the nation’s history, was passed unanimously with votes from 73 members present in the 85-seat house.

The Finance Ministry, under the outgoing administration, had proposed a budget of 29.6 billion; several funds were added – to be allocated to projects pledged by President Ibrahim Solih and his coalition during their campaign – increasing the total by over 600 million.

Maradhoo constituency MP Ibrahim Shareef, a member of the committee that reviewed the budget, said that funds necessary for development of several outlying islands has not been allocated in the budget and had duly apologized.

Solih’s government has expressed concern about budgetary expenses taken on by his predecessor, former President Abdulla Yameen, especially the repayment on foreign loans that Maldives cannot withdraw from.