Creating 94,000 job opportunities was an electoral pledge of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The administration has now inched very close to achieving the target by creating 96 percent of the total jobs pledged in a short period of just 4 years. Since President Yameen took office in 2013, a total of 90,600 jobs have been created across the country, as per the latest statistics of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The increase in number of job opportunities is credited to the major development projects carried out by the administration. The advancing Maldivian tourism industry is also a major contributor in the surge of job opportunities
Furthermore, additional job opportunities were created in the civil service sector, government and government shareholding bodies. Youth Ministry revealed that the jobs are created aimed at employing youth and ensuring a prosperous future for the nation. The administration needs to create another 3,400 jobs to fully achieve the President's electoral pledge.
The administration of President Yameen has developed 10 resorts a year under the efforts of providing better opportunities for the youth. In this regard, 23 resorts were developed and inaugurated in the first four years of President Yameen in office. Ministry of Tourism highlighted that most of the jobs created in the tourism industry are attained by local youth.
Furthermore, the establishment of pharmacies in every inhabited island by State Trading Organisation (STO), created 600 jobs for pharmacists, with additional jobs created with the commencement of transportation services in Addu city and Laamu Atoll.
With several high end development projects planned for 2018, including the development of Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale' and the expansion of Velana International Airport, the creation of job opportunities is expected to receive a major boost, exceeding the initial pledge of creating 94,000 jobs in five years.