Two sessions of the Cabinet to be held every Tuesday

The President has decided that meetings of the Cabinet will be held over two sessions every Tuesday. Following the decision, the Cabinet held its first two-session meeting today.

It was decided that the morning session of each week’s meeting will be reserved for discussions about the matters that require inter-ministerial cooperation, while papers and issues proposed for the approval and consultation of the Cabinet will be scheduled for the afternoon session.

As per the new decision, during the morning session of today’s Cabinet meeting, members discussed the main projects being undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Defence and National Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

During the afternoon session of today’s meeting, members discussed the proposal made by GMR Group of India to develop an international airport in Hanimaadhoo of Haa Dhaal atoll. In depth discussions were held on the details of the Memorandum of Agreement that is to be signed between the government and GMR Group. Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GMR Group on 5 November 2009.

The Cabinet also deliberated on the issue of developing 6000 tourist beds in the region for passengers to make the airport viable, and the mechanism to cross subsidize the airport developer.

Matter of liquidating Airport Investment Maldives Limited (AIM Limited) was also discussed in today’s meeting. The Cabinet, in its meeting held last week, decided to cancel projects given to the company to develop five domestic airports.

After discussions on the issue of airport development, the Cabinet decided to lease Maamutaa, Lhossaa and Keredhdhoo of Gaaf Alif Atoll, Havoddaa of Gaaf Dhaal Atoll and Ismehela Hera of Seenu Atoll for resort development to finance the development of five domestic airports.

At today’s meeting, the Cabinet also decided to lease five islands that were previously rented out, at the current market value. These five islands will be leased in accordance with the administrative framework on land which allows leasing islands and sand banks near resorts at prevailing market rate to maximise their benefit for the country.