Friday
22nd Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid and President Solih. Photo: President's Office.
The government has proposed to increase expenses spent on Maldivian missions overseas.
The MVR 42 billion budget proposed for next year by the government allocated MVR 367 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They received MVR 321 million this year, which is MVR 46 million less than the numbers allocated for next year.
Maldives has 19 foreign missions. Excluding the Maldivian Consulate in Jeddah, EU Mission for Maldives in Brussels, and the Maldivian mission for UN at New York, all other missions will see an increase in their budget next year.
2023 Budget proposed for overseas missions of Maldives
- Embassy of Maldives in Bangladesh: MVR 8.7 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Srilanka: MVR 36 Million
- Permanent Mission for Maldives at UN: MVR 16.8 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in UK: MVR 16.1 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in India: MVR 15.3 Million
- Consulate of Maldives in Thiruvananthapuram: MVR 9.6 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Malaysia: MVR 32.1 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Japan: MVR 14 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in China: MVR 12 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Saudi Arabia: MVR 14.7 Million
- Permanent Mission of Maldives in Geneva: MVR 14.4 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Pakistan: MVR 8.9 Million
- Mission of Maldives for EU: MVR 9.8 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Singapore: MVR 14.3 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Abu Dhabi: MVR 16.7 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Germany: MVR 14.2 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in Thailand: MVR 22.6 Million
- Consulate of Maldives in Jeddah: MVR 9.1 Million
- Embassy of Maldives in USA: MVR 15.3 Million
While budgets assigned for some missions have been increased, the current administration has recruited individuals for numerous political posts at these embassies and missions. These posts are filled by close associates of the ruling party, MDP, and their close relations, in addition to the relatives of parliament members.
Notably, the funds exhausted by Maldivian embassies abroad are greater in comparison to what other nations spend. While the state expenses have continued to grow each year, the government is now pushing to increase tax levied on goods and services.
Notably, the funds exhausted by Maldivian embassies abroad are greater in comparison to what other nations spend. While the state expenses have continued to grow each year, the government is now pushing to increase tax levied on goods and services.