MVR 53.7 Million Spent on State Travel by Mid-Year

State travel expenditure has reached MVR 53.7 million within the first six months of 2021.

Weekly figures on state finances published by the government show that the MVR 53.7 million spent by July 1 is less than what was spent the previous year. MVR 65.4 million was spent within the same duration last year. It is assumed that this year's expenses are comparatively less due to the recent two-month lockdown in the Greater Male' Area due to COVID-19.

Government officials in the past year were hardly able to travel due to COVID-19. However, state trips have resumed, with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih having visited three countries earlier this year.

Last year, the government used only MVR 141.3 million out of the allocated MVR 237.8 million due to COVID-19. This year, MVR 50 million was allocated for out-of-state travel.

During President Solih's first year of presidency, MVR 16.4 million was spent on his expeditions alone. He had claimed that he enjoyed traveling outside of the country.