Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on Tuesday evening announced and released the party's presidential manifesto; specifying future prospects for the upcoming five years.
The campaign manifesto was officially announced by incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who is seeking re-election in the crunch presidential elections slated for September 23.
Though the ruling party's manifesto has been released after much anticipation, the ruling party's presidential candidate had not disclosed any extensive details about it during Tuesday evening's grand rally.
The campaign manifesto titled 'Progress Shared' mainly focuses on infrastructural and urban development, tourism, maritime hub, finanace, ICT, fisheries, agriculture, health sector, education, social security and youth empowerment.
Infrastructural and urban development prospects:
- - Industrial zones at northern and southern hubs of Maldives
- - 500 housing units across local atolls
- - Water, sanitation and sewerage systems in all inhabited islands
- - Waste disposed to Thilafushi used to produce energy resources
- - Establishing seven waste recycle sites across Maldives
- - Using renewable energy sources as 50% of daily power consumption
- - Duty exemption on bicycles and creating special bicycle lanes
Future plans for tourism sector:
- - Increasing tourist count to 5 million
- - Adding 10,000 tourist beds at Huvadhu (Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal) atoll (i.e. adding resort destinations) and establishing a tourism zone in the region
- - Transforming Faafu atoll into an integrated tourism hub of Maldives
- - Creation of an artificial surfing point at Hulhumale' lagoon and transitioning the lagoon into a prominent surfing destination
- - Erecting high-end hotels in Male' once Male' Port shifts to Thilafushi
Maritime hub plans:
- - Complete shift of Male' Port to Thilafushi and transitioning into a trans-shipment port
- - Connecting Male' City with Port (Thilafushi) via over-water bridge
- - Establishing bunkering and docking facilities at Addu City
Finance sector prospects:
- - Transitioning HDFC into a development bank
- - Slicing housing loan interests to 5% and loan contribution to 15%
- - Establishing Islamic Banking services in all inhabited islands
- - Introducing online payment methods nationwide and utilizing payable services
- - 1,000 state funded loan opportunities for youths and women interested in startups
After releasing the manifesto, president Abdulla Yameen noted his pledges for 2018 were consistent with the pledges made in 2013 adding the new promises functioned to expand developmental aspects.
The Maldives president was confident his campaign manifesto will prove essential in Maldives thriving towards a more economically stable state; and he added the pledges will facilitate in the increase of state wealth and public welfare.
