Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer has stated the Maldives is one of the top countries in terms of GDP growth following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Ameer said the world economic outlook of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows the Maldives will soon achieve the fourth-highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the world. The minister said the finance ministry estimates the Maldives will achieve the second-highest GDP growth in the world with a 32% growth in the next two years. He said the high rate of growth is the result of the steps taken by the government to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Ameer praised the government for providing income support allowances, assisting businesses, allowing a debt moratorium, as well as providing discounts to water and electricity bills following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also praised the government's immediate response to provide treatment to sick individuals and prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. He said the government's assistance provided to the citizens and businesses are now showing results.
Minister Ameer also noted how the current economic condition of neighbouring countries is significantly worse than the Maldives. He highlighted that the Maldives was forced to incur debt to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the amount of debt incurred is still less than that of the previous administration.