Foreign expats are given subsidies when enough is not being done for the locals- President

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed has noted with concern that foreign expatriates are being granted subsidies from the state budget when the state budget is not enough to cover the costs of the basic services to the locals.

The President made this statement while addressing the people of Kan’ditheemu Island, as the last leg of his tour of some islands in the Miladhummadulu Atoll.

He said even though the revenue of the country has doubled within the past 10 years, the reality is that the income disparity between the rich and poor has increased.

Continuing in this regard, President Waheed noted that Maldives is now in the upper-middle income group of countries, with the Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita income amounting to $6,000 USD. However, the President remarked that the income inequality gap of the country has risen, making the rich richer, and the poor poorer.

Underlining that there are certain measures that need to be taken by the Government to reduce the income disparities, the President assured that the Government would continue to put in every effort to bridge the gap. He noted that provision of incentives for the poor, and boosting their living standards to a certain minimum were some of the efforts that could be undertaken.

The President expressed appreciation of the unity of the people of Kandhitheemu in working towards the development of the island, steering clear of any differences. He further assured of the Government’s support in realizing the needs of the people of the island.