Better late than never? Maldives ruling party launches manifesto
The manifesto is around four months late.

19 Sep 2018, 9:00 AM
Economic centres to be opened in the north and south
Development of Greater Malé Zone (GMZ)
Establish 5,000 housing units in atolls
Fresh drinking water facility and sewage system in all inhabited islands
A percentage of power needed for GMZ to be generated through waste management in Thilafushi
Seven waste recycling centers across the Maldives
Abolish duty from bicycles and create bicycle lanes in islands
Increase tourism arrivals to five million
Establish a tourism zone in Huvadhu atoll
Develop 10,000 tourism beds in Huvadhu atoll
Make Faafu atoll into an integrated tourism hub
Develop an artificial surfing point in Hulhumalé
Turn Hulhumalé into a surfing destination
Develop high-end hotels in Malé (in land vacated after relocating port to Thilafushi)
Malé port to be relocated to Thilafushi
Turn Thilafushi into a transhipment port
Connect Thilafushi port and Malé through a bridge
Bunkering, docking and oil facility in Addu
Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) to be changed into a development bank
Housing loan interest rates to drop to 5 percent, contributing rate to 15 percent
Islamic banking to all islands
Online payment system
1,000 loans available for women and youth wanting to start a business
Establish technology park in Villimalé 2
Build highly skilled ICT workforce
Reduce internet costs by 30 percent
Establish ‘Smart Maldives’ portal to access information and services
Fish processing centers in eight regions
SME loans and reducing import tariffs
Develop diamondback squid fishery
‘Fishermen Card’ to ensure priority when getting public services
Aquaculture and mariculture
Set a minimum price for yellowfin tuna
Fish canning factory in Addu
Self-sufficiency in five selected crops
Guarantee land for farming
Climate smart farming methods
Establish aggregation centers
Establish five agronomy research centres
First organ transplant centre
Establish national medical diagnostic network
Dharumavantha hospital phase 2 – 850 bed medical facility
Restructure Aasandha scheme
Free test and monitoring kits to diabetic patients
Increase doctors through first medical university
Annual scholarships for vocational and technical studies
Include digital literacy in curriculum
STEM education in curriculum
Train app developers and coders
Free tuition across the country
Program to ensure employment
Student card offering discounts in domestic air travel and public transport
Waive admin fees charged for loan schemes
MVR5,000 disability allowance
Discounts for people over 65 in air travel and public transport
Incentivised use of special vehicles
Financial support for divorced women with young children
Offer tax rebates
Ensure homes for everyone over 18
Artist hubs
National football training academy
MVR300 million fund to assist NGOs