Ministry of Finance has revealed that the state received more than USD64.8 million as Green Tax in the first six months of 2023.
The Green Fund Report published by the finance ministry shows that the state generated a combined sum of USD65.4 million through the balance brought forward from the previous year's end and the income derived from Green Tax during the first six months of this year.
The report also shows that the Green Fund received an inflow of USD6.5 million in January, USD5.9 million in February, USD6.8 million in March, USD6.1 in April, USD5.3 in May, and USD3.2 in June.
The Green Fund was introduced in 2016 with the aim of tackling environmental issues in the Maldives as per the Tourism Act of the Maldives. As such, USD6 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they spend at a resort or a hotel in the Maldives, and USD3 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they stay at a guesthouse. In addition, it is used to fund projects such as establishing coastal protection, water supply, waste management, and sewerage systems in various parts of the country.