Government spent MVR 42 million more than budgeted on travel last year

The government overspent its travel budget by MVR 42 million last year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

The ministry’s year‑end report shows that MVR 249.1 million had been allocated for travel and transport in 2025, but actual expenditure reached MVR 291.1 million, exceeding the approved budget by MVR 42 million.

Travel spending also increased compared to 2024, when MVR 280 million was spent. This reflects an additional MVR 11.1 million spent last year.

Meanwhile, the government received only a fraction of the MVR 2.6 billion budgeted as free aid for the year. By the end of 2025, free aid amounted to just MVR 415 million.

The President’s Office had previously been publishing details of President Mohamed Muizzu’s foreign trip expenses, but no updates have been released in recent days.

Critics argue that despite rising travel expenditure, foreign aid inflows have declined due to the country’s financial situation, delays in reforms, and challenges in foreign policy.