Ministry of Finance has stated the government has not mortgaged any state property to acquire loans from an international body.
In response to some rumors spread regarding Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer’s ongoing official visit to the UAE, the finance ministry said the purpose of the trip is to meet development partners, banks and investors. As such, the ministry said Minister Ameer will be meeting investors from the Middle East to deliberate on the economic progress achieved by the Maldives and to strengthen investor relations. The ministry denied claims that the minister is planning on acquiring loans by mortgaging state property.
In response to concerns on selling Sukuk bonds after declaring Dharumavantha Hospital as an asset, the finance ministry said the ownership of Dharumavantha Hospital will not change under any circumstances. The ministry said the government will be responsible for any non-payment situation, and assured that no property will be transferred to an international party.
Dharumavantha Hospital was declared as an asset in the process of selling asset-based Sukuk bonds. Sukuk, which are Islamic Shariah compliant bonds, were included in the State Budget as an Islamic financing instrument to acquire funds for the state.