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Coronavirus: government takes significant steps to economise

As a measure to economise, the government has taken significant steps owing to the coronavirus outbreak that is spiralling across the globe.

A circular sent to the government authorities signed by the Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer stated it is anticipated the economy of the Maldives will be affected owing to the coronavirus outbreak that is spreading across the globe. The actual revenue that will be reaped could be less than the estimated income declared in the year’s approved budget, further stated in the circular.

With that, the ministry has informed the measures to be taken to economise spending on employees, travel expenses, repair and renovation, capital expenditure as well as administrative costs.

Furthermore, it has urged not to create new jobs and avoid paying any new allowance to employees even if it is budgeted and circumvent any preventable travel abroad.

As per the statistics published by the government, over 13,000 tourist bookings have been cancelled. It is expected that more reservations will be cancelled in the days to come. Correspondingly it is anticipated this will incur a loss of over MVR 9 billion to the Maldivian economy.