The President’s Office has refuted claims made in a Dhauru News report regarding the introduction of a requirement for resorts to surrender 40 per cent of their revenue.

In a statement issued tonight, the President’s Office said the report contained false claims concerning Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu).

The report claimed that the legal amendment requiring resorts to surrender 40 per cent of their monthly revenue was introduced following consultations with the tourism industry, and described the Government’s decision as a surprise to the industry.

The President’s Office said the first amendment to the Foreign Exchange Act, ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 31 August, requires Category A tourism establishments to surrender 40 per cent of their monthly gross sales, replacing the previous option of surrendering USD 500 per bed.

Category B establishments are required to surrender either USD 25 per tourist or 20 per cent of gross sales.

The President’s Office said the amendments had been discussed with the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) on multiple occasions, including separately with members of its leadership.

It highlighted a meeting held at the President’s Office on 23 August, attended by senior government officials and six MATI representatives, including the association’s Vice Chairman, Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General.

The President’s Office also noted that a MATI press release issued on 24 August confirmed the participation of its senior officials in the meeting.

It therefore rejected claims that MATI had not been consulted or that the decision came as a surprise to the association.