Maldivian president urges nation to pull together to restore economy

By David Browne
MALE’, Maldives (eTurboNews) – Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has issued a rallying call to the nation to pull together to restore the economy and living standards of this idyllic Indian Ocean country as it strives to recover from the tsunami.

In a speech two months after the devastating Boxing Day tragedy, Gayoom laid out his government’s priorities for the coming year to newly elected members of parliament in the capital, Male.

“The government,” the Maldivian president said, “will spare no effort to ensure full national recovery from the devastation caused by the tsunami, and reconstruct the social and economic infrastructure of the country.”

“In economic policy, the emphasis will be on promoting fisheries, tourism and commerce, developing the skills required for the job market, promoting entrepreneurship, increasing access to overseas markets, and enhancing income-generating opportunities for people in the atolls.

“I call upon all members of the general public, all sectors of the government and civil society organizations and associations, to work together in this endeavor.”

The president indicated that recovery was an opportunity to repair but improve on pre-tsunami standards. Rapid restoration of the tourist trade is a vital part of Maldives recovery, alongside the fishing and agriculture sectors in the atolls, the coral banks strewn along the archipelago on which small local communities live and work.

“In 2004, the number of tourist arrivals in the country exceeded six hundred thousand, which represents a growth of 9.4 percent. The tsunami disaster caused significant infrastructural and financial damage to the industry,” said President Gayoom. “Given the importance of a quick rebound in tourism, the government is working in partnership with the industry, to ensure that tourist arrival numbers pick up as soon as possible.

“The government will shortly start a number of projects with donor assistance to help revive the fisheries and agricultural sectors.

“The government is fully committed to pursuing national recovery, and attaining a higher standard than before the tsunami,” said President Gayoom.

He said the Maldives had been greatly encouraged by the generous support it had received from overseas in the immediate emergency, and the interest shown by international political leaders in the Maldives’ recovery.

“Visits to the Maldives by world leaders and heads of international institutions and other donors, have brought hope to the people. These also demonstrate the solidarity and support of the international community.”
 
Among the leaders who have visited the Maldives in the aftermath of the tsunami are former US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, Turkish Prime Minister Rece Tayyip Erdogan and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, and vice-president of the Asian Development Bank, Liqun Jin, have also visited the country recently.

President Gayoom said the tsunami was probably the worst disaster that the country has ever had to face. It caused extensive damage and destruction to people’s homes, as well as to public and private buildings and property.

“In proportionate terms, the damage caused by the tsunami to the Maldives is far greater than any of the other affected countries. In just a few moments, a large portion of the progress and development attained by the diligent efforts of the people and the government was washed away.

“In 2004, the economy registered a brisk 8.8 percent growth. However, the forecast for this year is for a considerable slowing down of the economy as a result of the tsunami,” said Gayoom.

He added that the disaster was followed by a carefully organized nationwide effort to provide urgent humanitarian relief aid to the victims of the tsunami. A National Disaster Management Center has been established to coordinate and administer relief efforts. A Board of Overseers consisting of government officials, representatives of the UN and the private sector, aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of funds and in-kind assistance received towards the relief and reconstruction program.

Now the emphasis in government policy is on restoring fully the economic life of the nation. “Foreign aid is only temporary relief,” said Gayoom.  “The key to long term sustainable recovery lies in the revival of the country’s economic activities.”
 
The president took a swipe at campaigners at home and abroad who had advocated a tourism boycott of the Maldives for political reasons following unrest in August 2004. “Among those who instigated or encouraged the activities of August 12 and 13 were groups who were seeking to disrupt the tourism industry of the Maldives, and sever the ties of foreign aid and external trade enjoyed by the country.

“Moreover, it is regrettable that a few Maldivians residing abroad are calling for the withholding of humanitarian aid to the country in the aftermath of the tsunami. It is a matter of great concern to all of us that foreign elements were involved in these activities.”

Gayoom did not elaborate on whom he was referring to in these remarks, but government spokesmen have conceded that ministers fear that the prosperity of the Maldives could be disrupted if extremist Muslim elements were to gain a foothold of influence in this moderate and tolerant Islamic state.

March 8, 2005   Posted in: Maldives