Local consultancy firm, Nexia Maldives, will commence data collection trips to the Atolls in mid-September to seek input on the formulation of the National Development Plan.
The National Development Plan is a 20-year strategic plan formulated by the government. The formulation plan was awarded to consultancy firm Nexia Maldives in the first week of August.
Nexia Maldives Managing Director Hamid Sadiq told PSM that the first phase of the plan has been completed which included determining the methods of data collection and research activities and finalising them with the advice of the Steering Committee. The second phase is currently underway.
"The second phase is conducting key stakeholder consultations. The meetings began last week. These include consultations with government agencies, government offices, political parties, civil society organisations and foreign organisations,” he explained.
The next step in the process, according to Sadiq, is to travel to the Atolls and meet with the institutions and people of the islands to get ideas and gather information, adding that teams will start travelling to the Atolls in the second week of September.
"We will hold meetings with the people, institutions and associations. We will start the journey from the south of the Maldives. We hope to meet the people of all the islands by October,” he said.
In addition to meetings with stakeholders and the public, Nexia Maldives will also set up an online platform for submission of ideas.
The main objective of the National Development Plan is to develop a long-term strategic framework to guide government policies, investments and national development plans over the next 20 years. According to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the plan will prioritise the country’s pressing economic, social, environmental and structural challenges while also keeping sustainable development in mind.
Nexia Maldives has more than 18 years of experience in consultancy in the Maldives, including government policy formulation, institutional strengthening and strategic planning.