Committee approves Green Tax Bill

The Economic Committee of the People’s Majlis has today approved the Green Tax Bill proposed by the government, without any changes to the bill.

If this bill goes through the Majlis, a new tax would be levied on tourists visiting the Maldives.

At the Committee, 5 members belonging to parties in the Government voted in favour of the Bill, while members from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhoory Party (JP) voted against the Bill.

Ali Mauroof, MP for Kendhikulhudhoo Constituency and member of the MDA, a partner with the Progressive Party of the Maldives in the government, said that green tax would not include guesthouses in its scope of application.

“Guesthouses are a new business area, and the government therefore does not want to overburden them with a new tax as of now”, said Mauroof.

The Green Tax Bill has been proposed as an amendment to the Tourism Act, by Abdullah Khaleel, MP for Nilandhoo Constituency on behalf of the government.

Ahmed Adeeb, the Minister of Tourism, has said that money generated from the green tax would be used in waste management and waste issues faced especially by Thilafushi.

Abdullah Jihad, the Minister of Finance said that the money generated from green tax could also be used to establish water and sewerage systems and protect beaches.