MNP concerned over 99-year industrial land lease to foreigners
Expressing concern over the rule that allows foreigners to get land from Thilafushi for 99 years, the MNP issued a statement.
Top Stories
-
MP Mauroof released from custody, receiving hospital treatment
-
House floor sinks in Malé during nearby construction work
-
PNF to hold special rally at Artificial Beach on Wednesday
-
MDP MP says Mauroof arrest may breach parliamentary privileges
-
Complaint filed with JSC over judge’s remarks on defence lawyer
By
Umna Ismail
Maldives National Party (MNP) on Sunday expressed concern over the government's decision to allot land to foreigners in Thilafushi industrial area for 99 years.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) released the details of how to sell the land on an auction basis so that foreigners can also buy land from Thilafushi. According to HDC, land in Thilafushi 'Zone A' will be sold first on the basis of auction.
Here is the procedure for sale of land on auction basis:
-
Bids from a private person or company (including locals and foreigners)
-
Winning bidders will own land if they are a Maldivian individual or a local company
-
Allotment of land for 99 years if the winning bidder is a foreigner or a foreign company
-
The lowest bid price is MVR 1,700 per sqft
Expressing concern over the rule that allows foreigners to get land from Thilafushi for 99 years, the MNP in a statement said that small and medium enterprises will have to compete with foreigners to acquire land, which will adversely affect small and medium enterprises. In a statement, the MNP said:
-
When these businesses are not fully able to recover from the impact of Covid, such a policy violates the security of local businessmen
-
The economy and the financial health of families will be affected
-
Domestic and external policies should be "first Maldivians" policies that prioritise Maldivians and protect the rights of Maldivians
"Therefore, the Maldives National Party calls on the Government of Maldives to reverse its decision to sell land to foreigners from Thilafushi industrial area," the statement said.
This is for the first time that land has been sold from the island as part of the project announced by the current government to convert Thilafushi to the industrial headquarters of the country.
Related
Related
Foreign project contractors ineligible for Thilafushi land: HDC
Pres assures Thilafushi land policy revision to protect locals
Opposition threatens to seize Thilafushi land once in power
