Parliament concludes debate on 2016 budget

The parliament has concluded its debate on the Projected State Budget for 2016.

A total of 72 MPs participated in the debate which commenced on Monday and ended last night.

The MVR 27.457 billion budget was presented to the parliament on Thursday.

On the same day, the parliament set up a budget committee and passed to complete the work within a week.

Minister of Finance and Treasury Abdulla Jihad, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Environment and Energy Thorig Ibrahim, and Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer were summoned to the parliament; and Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee was summoned to the budget committee for discussions related to the budget.

A record amount of MVR 9.1 billion has been allocated for Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects in the 2016 budget.

The MVR 9.1 billion consists of MVR 5.2 billion from the general budget, MVR 2.7 billion foreign loans, and MVR 1.2 billion grants and tourist fund.

Major projects planned for next year include:

- Development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA)

- China-Maldives Friendship Bridge between Malé and Hulhulé

- Ongoing and new housing projects

- Construction of a national research facility adjacent to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)

- Land reclamation for an airport in Shaviyani Funadhoo.

The largest portion or 63 percent of the PSIP projects amount would be spent on improving harbours and airports. The total cost of these projects is estimated at MVR 2.6 billion, which includes MVR 783 million for harbour projects in 62 islands.

MVR 1.2 billion has been allocated for land reclamation and road construction projects. Land expansion has been planned in 9 islands, and land reclamation in 19 islands.