Parliament passed an Amendment Bill to the Tourism Act on Wednesday allowing the government to accept unsolicited bids for acquisition of islands, lagoons and land plots for tourism development.
The bill, tabled on behalf of the Government by Villimalé MP Ahmed Nihan Hussein Manik, was passed with 45 votes in favour, and 19 against. The amendment also set guidelines for leasing properties for such bids.
Currently, the Tourism Ministry leases islands and lands for tourism development under a competitive bidding process. But the amendment would allow the Government to accept unsolicited bids for acquisition of islands, lagoons and land plots for tourism development.
Before Parliament voted on the bill, leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom called on parliamentarians to refrain from voting for the amendment. MP Nihan described this call as Gayoom’s opinion and said he respected it.