Singapore Arbitration Court

Singapore’s Arbitration Court has issued a temporary order prohibiting holding any trial related to airport operator GMR in Maldives’ Courts, until the trial on the case of Airport Development Charge (ADC) filed to the Arbitration Court by GMR is completed.

Attorney General Azima Shakoor said at a joint press conference held today by four ministers that, according to the Arbitration Court’s order, holding a trial at a Maldivian Court in relation to the GMR Agreement, will result in the Agreement becoming void.

GMR filed the case to Singapore Arbitration Court last August, after the appeal period had expired for the Civil Court’s Order which prohibited charging ADC on passengers.

The Agreement states that any disputes must settled through Singapore’s Arbitration Court.

The issue of ADC heated up when the government, in addition to not receiving any income from GMR, was required to pay GMR $1.5 million for the past three months.

MACL has filed a case to Civil Court to void the letter issued by its former Chairman which permits the deduction of ADC from the concession fee payable by GMR to the Maldivian government.