Ministry of Finance reveals around USD 1.6 million has been spent from the Green Fund for development projects.
The latest Green Fund Report published by the Ministry of Finance shows 29 projects were financed using the Green Fund in June. They include projects to establish coastal protection, water supply, waste management, and sewerage systems in various parts of the country.
In June, around USD 168,000 from the Green Fund was spent on upgrading the habour quay wall in Vandhoo, Raa Atoll, and USD 142,000 was spent on establishing a water supply system in Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll.
Furthermore, the Green Fund Report shows USD 3.8 million was added to the fund in June through Green Tax collection. Around USD 1.4 million was received from tax collected from resorts and guesthouses in Kaafu Atoll and USD 505,000 was received from tax collected in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll.
The Green Fund was introduced to tackle environmental issues in the Maldives as per the Tourism Act of the Maldives. As such, USD 6 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they spend at a resort or a hotel in the Maldives, while USD 3 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they stay at a guesthouse.