Statistics published by the Ministry of Finance show that the Green Fund consisted of a total of MVR 883,967,032.21 by the end of July.
The Green Fund holds the entirety of the Green Tax levied on every tourist arriving in the Maldives. The Maldives started collecting USD6 from tourists visiting resorts and safaris and USD3 from tourists staying in guest houses as Green Tax in 2016, during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration.
According to the Finance Ministry, the Green Fund grew by MVR61 million in July of this year. The statistics revealed that July earned the least in Green Tax meanwhile March earned the most. MVR 105 million was made in Green Tax in March.
Amendments brought to the Tourism Act halted the Green Tax collection, resulting in no growth to the fund since July. No green Tax was collected in August of this year.
The ratification of the amendment with the changes approved by the parliament in June discontinues the levy of Green Tax between the date of ratification and January 2023.