Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Saleem has said Maldivians will be empowered to undertake a wider range of work by the end of the current 20th parliamentary term.

Saleem made the remarks while responding to opposition criticism of a proposed amendment to the Income Tax Act to increase withholding tax on payments to foreign contractors involved in construction projects to 10 per cent.

Opposition MDP MPs argued that the amendment would not benefit Maldivian companies unless government projects were awarded directly to local firms. They also alleged that projects awarded to state-owned companies had been subcontracted to Chinese and Indian companies.

Saleem said the proposed amendment is aimed at increasing taxes paid by foreign companies and would create more opportunities for Maldivian businesses.

He said the measure would benefit construction companies and businesses, adding that Maldivians would eventually be able to undertake such work themselves.