Government Temporarily Suspends Leasing of Uninhabited Islands

The Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has temporarily suspended the leasing of uninhabited islands in the Maldives. The decision was made to facilitate the implementation of amendments to the regulations governing the lease of uninhabited islands.

Last year, the Parliament of the Maldives passed the amendment bill to the Uninhabited Islands Act (Act No. 20/98) at the 43^rd sitting of its third session on November 28^th, 2022, which was ratified by the President in December of the same year. The first amendment to the Uninhabited Islands Act rescinds articles that contravene the Decentralisation Act.

The amendment allows island and city councils to exercise more power in the lease of uninhabited islands in their respective jurisdictions. Moreover, a revision brought to Article 11 also required authorities to hold discussions with relevant councils before leasing uninhabited islands in their jurisdiction. Following the ratification of the bill, six months were granted to formulate new regulations and amend existing ones that pertain to the law.

Uninhabited islands are usually leased to investors for resort development and other tourism-related projects. However, occasionally islands are also leased for agricultural and industrial purposes as well.