Minister Ameen said that the government aims to ensure that 100 percent of the beneficiaries are local companies.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, said yesterday that measures will be implemented to ensure the revenue from the jet handling business benefits Maldivians.
Speaking at a press conference held at President's Office yesterday, Ameen said that jet handling has been a long standing business in the Maldives, but it has not generated significant profits for locals.
He said that while a company was registered under a Maldivian name, foreigners were reaping the profits, with Maldivians receiving only a small wage.
"There are many private jets coming to the Maldives due to tourism. It’s an existing business. However, Maldives jet handling lacks the strength to control the network, which is why some businesses from neighboring countries have set up a system where locals act as fronts. They receive low wages while the profits are sent abroad,” Ameen said.
Minister Ameen also noted that foreign companies are also handling the General Sales Agent (GSA) and Passenger Services Agent (PSA) services for major airlines.
However, he assured that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu aims to change this so that Maldivian companies benefit from the business.
Ameen said that regulations would be amended to support Maldivian companies next year.
“The government’s goal is to ensure that 100 percent of the beneficiaries are local companies,” Ameen said.
He also said that changes in auditing practices would curb the revenue generated by foreign companies in the yacht handling sector.
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