President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Tuesday defended the government move to allow foreign landownership in the archipelago, describing opponents of the decision as "primitive."
Speaking during the ceremony to inaugurate a new harbour in Haa Dhaal Atoll Hirimaradhoo island, president Yameen highlighted the significance of land reclamation in the island nation in order to cater to the increasing population and development projects.
In July last year, the parliament passed a new law allowing foreigners who invest more than $1 billion to own land in perpetuity, provided 70 percent of it is reclaimed from the Indian Ocean.
"We strongly believe that there is so much we can do by reclaiming and selling land. We should not only look to reclaim land in populated islands. We have the land. We must find ways to reclaim them," president said.
According to the president, in the face of major foreign investments, the number of critics against selling or leasing land has gradually dwindled.
