Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam, has proposed to give Maldivian citizenship to foreign nationals.

The minister brought up the idea during a virtual meeting of the parliament’s committee on development and national heritage on Thursday. The committee session was held to inquire on plans to build the country’s economy given that the country cannot just depend on tourism as the ongoing crisis has proven this.

While the minister noted that the country’s agriculture sector can be strengthened, he highlighted that this might not impact the economy as much as the tourism sector.

He also revealed that there are wealthy foreign nationals that have expressed interest in acquiring Maldivian citizenship, at the meeting.

Hence, he said that it will be “a good idea” to consider giving such individuals residency in the Maldives. Aslam said that he believes that doing so will be beneficial to both the country and the people.

Noting that he is not proposing to give out Maldivian citizenship to foreigners, the minister said that it is important to give investors a sort of residency in the country to ease things for them.

Aslam also emphasized that this was his personal opinion, and not that of the government but that it “is something to consider”.