Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon has stated artists whose source of income have been blocked due to the COVID-19 pandemic can seek relief loans through the schemes announced by the government.
Minister Yumna said the difficulties faced by creative and performing artists in the Maldives due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been shared with Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail and Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer. She said the economic minister had given assurance that artists can apply for relief loans under the loan schemes of Job Centre and SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC).
Last month, Minister Yumna took part in a virtual meeting organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), attended by arts, culture and heritage ministers of 130 different countries. During the meeting, the minister highlighted the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts, culture and heritage sector of the Maldives. Discussions were held on ways countries can work together in overcoming the crisis.