Finance Minister Moosa Zameer has suggested that the Hajj Corporation’s board assess whether operating a guesthouse aligns with its primary mandate. The remarks were made during a parliament session in response to a query from Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas regarding the corporation’s activities.

The minister highlighted that the Hajj Corporation’s main responsibility is managing its funds and facilitating pilgrimages. He emphasised that the corporation’s board and shareholders should evaluate whether running a guesthouse is the best approach for achieving its objectives.

Zameer suggested that if the corporation has sufficient funds, it could explore handing over fund management to specialists to ensure better results. He noted that investment in the tourism sector is possible through other government entities specifically designed for such ventures.

The minister also cautioned against a scenario where every government company, including entities like the Hajj Corporation, Fenaka, or HDC, ventures into building resorts or guesthouses. He expressed concerns about the effectiveness of such investments, stating that they may not yield favourable outcomes.

Zameer’s comments underline the importance of focusing on core responsibilities and leveraging specialised entities for investments to ensure efficiency and success.