Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has launched its presidential manifesto for the next five years. The manifesto was launched by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at a PPM rally held at Maafannu Stadium.
The presidential manifesto titled "Progress Shared", consists of 13 areas, including tourism, maritime hub, finance, information and communications technology, Infrastructure and urban development, fisheries, farming, health, education, social protection and youth. In this regard, PPM has pledged to increase annual tourist arrivals to 5 million within the next 5 years and to develop Huvadhoo Atoll as a major tourism zone with 10,000 bed capacity served by an international airport outfitted with full seaplane facilities.
The administration will develop an integrated port facility on Thilafushi in the Greater Male' Industrial Zone, according to the manifesto. The manifesto prioritises the vision of the president to bring about transformational change to the economy and the lives of the people. Through expansion, diversification of existing sectors and through the introduction of new economic sectors, the manifesto outlined the president would bring in a new era of economic growth and prosperity to the Maldives.
Furthermore, the manifesto highlighted the immense opportunities and avenues created by the monumental re-development of Velana International Airport (VIA), is of great importance to the economic agenda of the president for the next five years. The plan of the manifesto is to increase annual tourist arrivals to five million and drive the economy on the ensuing growth of trade, transport and construction sectors, according to the manifesto.
The strategic development of the southern and northern zones as major tourism hubs will be instrumental for the equitable distribution of the fruits of development among all Maldivians. Strong drivers of growth have also been programmed into the development plans for other major economic sectors. New sectors that will be developed during the next five years such as the information, communication and technology sector and the maritime sector will also contribute immensely to the expected growth.
The manifesto noted the combined impact of the implementation of the economic and social programmes to be implemented by the administration, during the next five years will bring about a profound change in the way Maldivians live, work and play. The manifesto underscored the size of the economy will progress to almost three times from its current level, along with it, employment will also bloom by the same ratio.