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PPM vows to double income per capita with new manifesto

Fathmath Shaahunaz
20 September 2018, MVT 13:17
President Abdulla Yameen unveils PPM's manifesto for the 2018 Presidential Election. PHOTO: AHMED NISHAATH/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
20 September 2018, MVT 13:17

The presidential manifesto of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) will double the standard of living and income per capita for Maldivians, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has declared.

The ruling party announced its manifesto in a massive gathering hosted in Maafannu Stadium in capital Male on Tuesday night.

President Yameen stated that it was the second part of PPM's manifesto for the 2013 election, describing it as a manifesto "full of hope".

"This manifesto will raise us twice as high as our current situation. If our current income [per capita] were USD 10,000, this manifesto would increase it to USD 20,000."

PPM's manifesto for the 2018 election comprises of eleven main policies:

Infrastructure and Urban Development

According to the manifesto, the current government will create three integrated urban development zones: the Greater Male Zone, the Northern Development Zone, and the Southern Development Zone, all featuring international airports with seaplane hubs, connected major islands, international seaport and marine transport hubs, and industrial zones. PPM vows to increase housing with townships in atoll capitals, develop more domestic airports, and to complete installation of sewerage and water systems in all inhabited islands. The administration will also improve waste collection and management, and expand green initiatives such as generation of 50 percent of daytime energy via renewable sources. The manifesto further pledges to ensure coastal protection in islands experiencing erosion.

Tourism

With the development and expansion of Velana International Airport (VIA), the ruling party vows to increase annual tourist arrivals to five million over the next five years. The atolls of Huvadhoo, Ihavandhippolu, Faafu, Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal, and Male will be developed as integrated tourism zones. According to the manifesto, an international cruise terminal and yacht marine will be developped in Hulhumale, and while the Maldives will be inaugurated as an international surfing destination. Promising more benefits for local tourism, the PPM manifesto also vows an employment benefit scheme for those working in the tourism industry.

Maritime Hub

PPM's manifesto 2018 pledges to utilise the Maldives' strategic geographical location to make the archipelago an international hub for maritime trade, with an integrated port facility in Thilafushi, Kaafu Atoll, complemented with a transhipment port in the north, and another facility in the south. The manifesto vows to revive the Maldives' shipping industry.

Financial Sector

If re-elected, PPM vows to establish an International Financial Centre in the Greater Male region, and to incorporate the first 'Development Bank of the Maldives' in Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC). According to the manifesto, the fund to guarantee loans for youth and women entrepreneurs will be tripled, while credit guarantee schemes for SMEs will also be increased. The manifesto promises to decrease social housing interest rates, provide Islamic banking in all islands, and to enable use of online payment systems such as Paypal.

Information and Communication Technology

The ruling party vows to establish a Technology Park in Villimale 2, and to invest in a state-owned submarine cable which would reduce internet costs by 30 percent. The manifesto shared that the government will establish 'Smart Maldives', a single portal to access information and services, in addition to providing academic and vocational training programmes to build a skilled ICT workforce.

Fishery

According to the manifesto, fish purchasing/processing centres will be established in eight regions of Maldives. The government will introduce the 'Fisherman Card' which will grant priority for fishermen in receiving public services and special discounts. The manifesto also vows to launch SME loan schemes for boat building, execute more aquaculture and mariculture programmes, and to develop more canneries and define a minimum price for Yellowfin Tuna.

Agriculture

In a second term, the current government will establish five Agronomy Research Centres across the country and introduce climate-smart farming methods, the manifesto states. Pledging to attain self-sufficiency in five selected crops, the PPM manifesto promises to allocate exclusive land plots for small-time farmers and islands for commercial farmers.

Health

PPM's 2018 manifesto pledges to establish the nation's first organ transplant centre, a specialized national maternity and child care hospital, and sports physiotherapy centres in regional hospitals. All regional hospitals will be linked to Dharumavantha Hospital's National Diagnostic Centre while all healthcare centres will be linked via a telemedicine network. The government will also implement Phase II of Dharumavantha Hospital, introduce paramedics units, and establish an internationally accredited medical university.

Education

The government will invest MVR 100 million to develop an education resource network, and introduce a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education curriculum. The manifesto promises to double the number of scholarships offered by the government, offer vocational and technical scholarships annually, and a revolving fund to offer student loans to study abroad without a mortgage. The manifesto also vows to offer free tuition via modern technology across Maldives, waive administrative fees currently charged for student loan schemes, and to establish teaching among the most highly valued professions.

Social Protection

According to the manifesto, persons with disabilities will receive up to MVR 5,000 per month, while the government will introduce a micro-financing program ‘Gaabil’ for such persons. The government will incentivize special vehicles that can accommodate wheelchair-bound passengers, subsidize child daycare, and provide financial support for divorced women with young children. The manifesto also promises domestic air travel discounts for people over the age of 65.

Youth

PPM's manifesto pledges to provide housing for all citizens over 18 years of age till 2030. The government will establish a fund of MVR 300 million to aid NGOs and youth in environmental protection work, establish Artists' Hubs in key tourist areas, and develop more recreational sporting infrastructure as well as training facilities for national sports associations. Furthermore, the manifesto promises a National Football Training Academy at the Hulhumale’ Youth City, and a special football-training programme in the atolls.

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