President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that work is underway to legally protect the Maldives’ 20-year national development master plan, which is being formulated to guide the country’s development through 2040.
Speaking on the latest episode of PSM News’ “Nation Chat” podcast, President Muizzu said a special law is being drafted to safeguard the master plan, ensuring that national development projects can continue without interruption even when there is a change in government.
He said projects initiated by one administration have previously been halted when another government came to power, resulting in changes to the country’s development direction and preventing citizens from receiving the expected benefits of long-term development efforts.
The President said the 20-year master plan is being developed to establish a clear development path for the country through 2040. He stressed that it should not simply remain a document, but should be protected under law so that its implementation is safeguarded from political changes.
President Muizzu also noted that he had spoken about the master plan during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, saying the aim was to demonstrate that although the Maldives is a small country, it is working towards becoming a developed nation through its own efforts.
He said this could help change the international community’s perception of the Maldives and create greater opportunities for the country.
The President said development carried out without a long-term plan would continue to produce a pattern of moving backwards, while working according to a long-term strategy would provide greater certainty that development would deliver lasting benefits to the people.
