Amendment to open visa laws sent for further review

An amendment to the Immigration Act was sent to the National Security Committee for review with 56 votes in favour and 31 against.

The bill, presented by Hulhu-Henveiru MP Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik, would give foreign businessmen and investors in the Maldives easy access to resident visas. The amendment bill is part of the government’s 18-bill economic reform package.

The amendment would make visas available to foreigners married to Maldivians; legal guardians of children born in marriages including a Maldivian; investors; investors involved in government material and financial development projects; and foreigners providing technical service.

An amendment to the parliamentary rules of procedure to allow foreign heads of state and dignitaries to address parliament was meanwhile passed 59-2 at today’s sitting.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Heavy Load wins land reclamation contract

Heavy Load Maldives has been awarded the land reclamation contract at Hulhumalé following disputes yesterday with GMR, reports Sun Online. A new terminal will be constructed on this site for GMR Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

GMR declined to reveal the contract value, but confirmed that Heavy Load had received the contract. The project was allegedly delegated to GMR Airport Development Limited, a subsidiary of GMR, before it was awarded to Heavy Load.

The project budget was set at US$20 million, reports Sun.

The first phase of the project is said to reclaim 50 percent of the designated land area. In this phase, one million cubic metres of land area would be carved out of the ocean.

GMR reportedly said that harbour construction has not yet been delegated to any company.

Heavy Load Maldives is a company owned by Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik, the Interim Chairperson of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)