President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that eradicating corruption within government institutions will increase State income without imposing further tax.

The President said this while speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary campaign event at Noonu Velidhoo. He noted in his speech at the event that cost of all staple goods will be lowered to the same price as Male’, within all local islands, starting from April. He said that the import duty on fuel for fisheries as well as farming equipment have also been removed. Additionally, the President highlighted that all of these initiatives are being carried out without imposing further taxes on citizens.

He said that this has been made possible through changing processes and disagreeable rules within government institutions and companies.

President Solih noted that these changes will result in several major alterations in national insurance scheme, Aasandha as well. He said that 20 to 30 percent State expenditures can also be saved as a profit, if government goods are properly handled.

He said that the only requirement to fulfil this is that theft is prevented and that those that would cheat finances are not in positions that allow this.

President Solih informed that a major section of the budget could be saved by ensuring that disagreeable habits of government institutions are eradicated.