State budget for the upcoming year, which was submitted to the People’s Majlis on Monday, puts the people first, said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer presented the proposal for the state budget 2020, set at MVR 37.5 billion, at Monday's parliament sitting where it was heard and forwarded for committee review.

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, the President wrote that the budget will address some principal concerns such as healthcare, education, water and sewerage services, social protection and decentralized governance, in order to realize the government’s vision of a “more prosperous” Maldives.

Presenting the budget, Minister Ameer revealed that this is the first time the ministry has been able to compile a state budget under the government’s manifesto and “Jazeera Raajje” or island nation, vision. The budget is expected to provide an easier lifestyle for the people.

The government further envisions to complete water and sewerage projects across 157 islands within 2020-2021 under the PSIP budget. Several projects have been marked across the nation under the scope of the state budget.

The State Budget 2020 has the biggest Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) seen in the country’s history, MVR 10.1 million, which is MVR five million more than the past year. A recurrent expenditure of MVR 22.2 million, and MVR 6.6 million for capital expenditure has also been set under the proposal.