The state has surpassed USD 37 million in Green Tax receipts for the current year, a significant fiscal milestone driven by a major overhaul of the nation’s environmental levy system. Data released in the latest Weekly Fiscal Report by the Ministry of Finance and Planning indicate that the state successfully accrued USD 37.94 million from the environmental mandate as of 26 March. This robust collection represents a 43 per cent surge over the USD 26.40 million recorded during the corresponding period last year, marking a period of unprecedented growth for the nation’s dedicated environmental fund.
The growth in revenue is a direct consequence of structural adjustments to the tax code that took effect on 1 January 2025. Under the revised framework, standard levies were effectively doubled; visitors previously subject to a USD 6 charge are now required to remit USD 12, while the secondary USD 3 rate has been increased to USD 6. The policy maintains a demographic exemption for children under the age of two.
Originally instituted in October 2016 to underwrite national environmental protection, the Green Tax is systematically applied across the hospitality sector, from resorts and guesthouses to tourist vessels. The capital generated is being deployed to finance vital sustainability projects, including comprehensive water and sewerage systems and coastal protection interventions. The state’s performance in environmental taxation mirrors a broader resurgence in tourism, with official records indicating more than 600,000 visitors have arrived thus far this year, providing the foundation for the country's expanding fiscal reserves.