Gasim vows to produce 100 millionaires
The Maamigili MP said he would look for more ways to reduce the debt and generate revenue.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim pledged on Friday to produce 100 millionaires in the first five years of his rule.
Gasim was officially given the presidential ticket of the Jumhooree Party, which is part of the ruling coalition but has rejected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's invitation to renew the coalition agreement for a second term. After receiving the ticket, Gasim released a manifesto of what he would do for the country if voted to power.
Speaking at the rally held at carnival area in Male, Gasim said that his manifesto offers solutions to the existing problems in the country, and include revolutionary changes to de-escalate tension and restore peace.
"We will spend MVR 3 billion to develop small and medium businesses and create at least 500 small business leaders across the country," said Gasim, who owns a tourism to retail conglomerate.
"We will produce 100 millionaires in the country within five years."
One of the country's richest people said the Maldives was in a fragile economic phase. Criticising the economic policies of the government, he said the national debt has gone "beyond sights".
The Maamigili MP said he would look for more ways to reduce the debt and generate revenue:
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In the first three years of a JP government, state debt will be reduced from the existing 120% of GDP to 90% and maintain public expenditure at 35% of GDP; state revenue will be increased by 30%
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A JP government will divide the Maldives into seven zones for regional development and set up two destinations as economic hubs in the north and south
The JP manifesto will also alleviate the plight of people in need of housing, Gasim said:
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At least 20,000 housing units will be built across the country by the end of the five-year term
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The target is to build 30,000 housing units
Gasim also pledged to resolve the issues faced by residents at Hiyaa flats built in Hulhumale Phase II during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's presidency, within the first 100 days:
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Will install more lifts in the towers
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Will install backup generators to provide electricity
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Will develop Hiyaa neighbourhood park
Gasim said the people have tested other political ideologies in the past and described the experience as "heart-wrenching and shameful" experiences.
Some key pledges from Gasim's manifesto:
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Making the necessary efforts to overturn the ITLOS decision to delimitate the territorial waters between the Maldives and Chagos
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Maintaining a neutral, friendly foreign policy with all countries
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Building a world-class Olympic stadium
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Providing soft loans in the first two years to set up fish freezing systems and radar
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Making internet a basic service and providing at least 5mbps per household
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Increasing senior citizens' allowance to MVR 7,000
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Making Aasandha health insurance scheme fair and free of corruption
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Making the transshipment port a reality
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Setting up investment bank and offshore bank services; opening up the possibility of using digital currency
