Zuhoor: Airport charge will apply to locals as well

Co-chair of Economic Council, Ahmed Zuhoor has announced that the new Airport Development Charge (ADC) submitted for People’s Majlis approval would apply to everyone who used Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), including Maldivian passengers.

Speaking during the meeting held this Thursday with the Budget Research Committee of People’s Majlis, Minister of President’s Office, Zuhoor said the upgrade on INIA was for the people, and the benefit from the upgrade would also be enjoyed by the people.

“It will cost approximately USD 1 billion for the airport. With such a huge expense, the benefits will be derived by the people,” said Zuhoor.

He said the government had proposed taking ADC from all passengers, indiscriminately. But that the final decision lay in the hands of the members of People’s Majlis.

“As a rule, it has been decided that the ADC will apply to anyone who uses the airport. But that will come from a specific law. And the decision lies in your hands – who to take it from and who not to take it from. Chair of Economic Council envisions taking it from everyone,” said Zuhoor.

He said that approximately 2,000 locals travelled out of Maldives each week; most of them for leisure.

“It is up to you to decide if this is applicable to them as well. Whether to subsidize everything for Maldivians or opt for another way – that will be decided by you in the Majlis,” said Zuhoor.

Zuhoor said Economic Council was taking substantial measures to improve the Maldivian economy.

Submitting the projected State budget for 2017 to People’s Majlis, Minister of Finance and Treasury, Ahmed Munawwar noted that income generating measures proposed by the government included a ADC of USD 25 from each passenger.

The announcement had sparked concern from the people.

Majority Leader of People’s Majlis, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik – who is also Chair of Budget Research Committee – had tweeted the ADC was only applicable to tourists and foreigners.