New govt to rebrand MMPRC

Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC), which is linked to one of the biggest corruption scandals in Maldives' recent history, will be rebranded, new tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal said on Monday.

The new government held its first cabinet meeting on Sunday and created a new council called the Visitor Economy Council. 

Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office, Faisal said MMPRC will still be responsible for promoting the country as a tourist destination.

According to the minister, instead of holding daily meetings, the council will formulate policies to promote tourism.

“The main marketing activities will be done through the MMPRC,” he said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to mention that President Muizzu is very keen to rebrand the MMPRC. When the new managing director is appointed, the work will commence soon."

According to the minister, after the rebranding, the MMPRC will shape its efforts to increase tourist arrivals by exploring new markets instead of focusing only on existing markets.

As part of the MMPRC corruption scandal, which took place during former President Abdulla Yameen's government, more than MVR 3.2 billion from the lease of islands and lagoons were siphoned off from the state, transferred to private accounts, and used to buy political influence and enrich those involved.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, whose five-year term ended on Friday, came to power in 2018 with a promise to investigate the scandal and recover the stolen funds. By the end of his five years in office, the state has not recovered a single Rufiyaa.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the scandal. After President Solih's defeat in the election, Yameen, who has been in jail for the past two years, was placed under house arrest on October 1. The verdict is pending appeal in the High Court.