OneWorld.net (U.S.)

MALE: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has announced plans to launch a major programme to create more job opportunities across the nation, and to lease further islands for the development of tourist resorts. He made the statement in his address to the nation at the Official Meeting to mark Republic Day 2005, which was held on Sunday night at Dharubaaruge. Elaborating on the proposed programme to create more jobs, the President said that, under the programme, the government would provide special incentives to those who launch commercial activities in major development centres outside of the capital, Male. He added that the programme would focus on creating more jobs outside the capital, and to provide greater opportunities for people to secure employment closer to their residing islands. Speaking on a raft of measures that the government was planning to introduce to revive the economy, which had slowed down considerably after the December 2004 tsunami, the President announced that further islands would be leased out for the development of tourist resorts. Highlighting that tourism was the main income-generator in the country, the President said that government attached a very high priority to ensure that a greater percentage of the population benefited from the industry. The President said that, among the other proposed plans for economic revival, was the introduction of a policy of expanding small and medium business in the country. He added that a nationwide policy would be formulated, give that it was an important prerequisite of sustainable development. Further, he said that a number of other measures were also being discussed and formulated to ensure that the national economy recovered as soon as possible. Source:South Asia Media Net