Nasheed backs long-term residency visa programme
His comments come after MDP MP for South Hulhumalé, Dr Ahmed Shamheed, submitted a motion to Parliament raising concerns over the proposed programme.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed support for the Maldives' proposed long-term residency visa programme, saying it would benefit the country and create opportunities for a new segment of the tourism industry.
Nasheed, who serves as chairperson of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made the remarks on Saturday in a post on X.
"In my view, the residency programme is something that will be immensely beneficial to the Maldives; it represents an opportunity for a different form of tourism business," he wrote.
His comments come after MDP MP for South Hulhumalé, Dr Ahmed Shamheed, submitted a motion to Parliament raising concerns over the Pearl Residence Programme, which the government is developing in partnership with Henley & Partners.
In the motion, Shamheed called for all approvals under the programme to be suspended until Parliament enacts legislation governing residency by investment.
He also proposed that Parliament adopt a resolution requesting the Maldives Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the award of the contract to Henley & Partners.
The motion further seeks to summon Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Maldives Monetary Authority Governor Ahmed Munawar and Controller General of Immigration Ahmed Faseeh before the relevant parliamentary committee.
Former Minister of Economic Development and former MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has previously said the concept of an investor residency visa programme was first introduced during the MDP administration.
Fayyaz also noted that members of the then opposition, some of whom now serve in the current administration, had criticised the concessions proposed under the earlier corporate residency visa initiative.
