Saeed: Hajj Corporation faces no obstruction to enter guesthouse business

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, on Tuesday, remarked that is no obstruction for Maldives Hajj Corporation to engage in the guesthouse business.

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) inquired from the Minister whether the government has taken any action to stop efforts by the Hajj Corporation to enter the guesthouse business as the Minister attended Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting to answer lawmakers’ questions.

In a shocking response, the Minister said the government welcomes efforts to expand the business.

“I note that Hajj Corporation has the authority to engage in business transactions,” he added.

Saeed, who did not directly respond to the question, said that any potential losses from the Hajj Corporation’s entry into the guesthouse business should be

Notably, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed encouraged investing in the Hajj Corporation when questioned regarding the Corporation’s efforts to commence halal tourism in K. Maafushi during last Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting.

Hajj Corporation had announced plans to launch halal tourism in local tourism hotspot Maafushi back in November 2024. Back then, Hajj Corporation’s managing director Mohamed Shakeel said it was part of efforts by the corporation to invest in low-risk business ventures in order to lower the cost of hajj pilgrimages.

But Finance Minister Moosa Zameer initially voiced opposition to the plan. At a Parliament sitting in December 2024, Zameer said he does not believe that the Hajj Corporation venturing into the hotel or guesthouse business can produce a “good outcome.” He advised the corporation to reconsider the plan.

Although the Corporation initially decided to drop the plans, the Corporation later posted an announcement seeking a contractor to build the hotel.

Shaheem has been critical of Zameer’s remarks. Although he did not convey his opinion regarding Hajj Corporation running guesthouses, he had encouraged investing in the state-owned company.

“The Ministry is fulfilling its role in advising Hajj Corporation on arranging all Hajj related matters in the best manner, however, as Hajj Corporation is a company, the Ministry does not have a role in the internal decisions reached by Hajj Corporations’ board,” Shaheem said.