President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says his government would bring about legislative changes that would allow the island councils to receive a portion of the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) taken from the guesthouses on the islands.
He said this while speaking on his trip to Vaavu Atoll Keyodhoo as part of his tour of the central atolls.
The President said that developmental work in the islands can only accelerated by generating more revenue and that revenue can only be increased by expanding the industries.
Noting that Keydhoo has a vibrant local tourism scene, the President said that the administration is taking action to expand the tourism industry.
He said that this includes assisting the construction of new resorts and resorts where work has been delayed for one reason or another. President Muizzu said that the aim was to make these resorts operational and help the economy regain its status.
The President revealed that the administration is working to increase revenue generated from other industries and that the aim is for the people to reap the rewards of these efforts within the decentralization system.
President Muizzu said that the government is working to generate more revenues for Councils and has already allowed the councils to acquire nearby uninhabited islands and work to establish businesses on these islands.
He said that he wants the Councils to reap the true benefits of the Decentralization system. In this regard, he said that the government would work to bring about legislative changes that would allow the Councils to receive a portion of the TGST taken from the guesthouses on the islands.
