Adam Azim, the Chief Executive Officer at Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has stated that a World Bank research backs the fact that their Raajje Transport Link (RTL) service is world-class.

Azim's statement came in response to questions posed by lawmakers during today's meeting of the Parliament Committee on State-Owned Enterprises.

During the meeting, lawmakers quizzed Azim regarding the company's failure to meet the demand for launch services between Addu City and Fuvahmulah City. In response, he had highlighted that going by the current speed of RTL, the entirety of Maldives would be connected through the transport link within the next 24 months.

He further added that while the works are being carried out under a 50-year agreement with the Ministry of Transport with special vessels being developed for this project, MTCC itself developing its own vessels would be a waste of public funds.

He also highlighted that a recent World Bank study had been conducted on the RTL service, stressing that the report concluded that the service is up to par with world-class services that are similar. Azim further noted that the report had stated that the expenditure on the project is also going well so far.

In response to questions regarding government subsidies, Azim revealed that even though a wide number of business activities are carried out by the company, only the transport sector is covered by such government subsidies.

He explained the reason behind the subsidizing, noting that it allows them to provide the public with affordable prices set by the government.

He further stressed that without such subsidies, it would be impossible for the company to provide transport services on the long term.