Official government spokesman on Covid-19 updates in Maldives Mr. Mabrouk Azeez says no country has offered financial aid yet as country’s economy falters amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking to reporters today at the news briefing held at Dharubaaruge, Mr. Mabrouk said while countries are providing aid in the fight against Covid-19 Maldives is yet to receive any financial aid that would directly help with the stuttering economy
Mr. Mabrouk noted that countries such as China, India, Japan and the US have so far given aid to help overcome the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said tourism is the main door through which foreign currency is pumped into the economy and that door has now been temporarily closed with several travel restrictions already in place. Mr. Mabrouk said some 204 tourists arrived in the country yesterday and that the government’s aim is to prevent the total collapse of the economy. He added that government wants to maintain the economy for the people and that the main reason to preserve the economy is to protect Maldivian jobs and continue giving services to the public.
Mr. Mabrouk highlighted that the government have cut down on expenses and have made cuts to the state budget as much as it can.
He added that the government hopes to use these savings and financial aid to protect Maldivian jobs and to avoid a disruption to services to the public.
