1,337 Projects Being Carried Out as Part of Government’s Strategic Action Plan

National development remains one of the highest responsibilities of government. However, for many years, it was pursued haphazardly, with no long-term vision, definite criteria for success, or provisions for government accountability.

The results of such short-term thinking and unorganized development efforts are clear for all to see: an overly congested capital; stark regional disparities in socio-economic and infrastructural progress; environmental degradation; unequal opportunities to accessing basic goods and services; and difficulties accessing meaningful employment, quality education, and affordable housing, among a plethora of other issues that previous governments not only neglected to solve but exacerbated.

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Therefore, the current administration came up with the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2019-2023, which serves as the government’s overarching reference point to steer national development efforts. The plan is a central policy framework and planning document that guides the overall development direction of the Maldives for the next five years. The SAP consolidates the current government’s manifesto pledges with existing sectoral priorities.

Outlined within the SAP, there are five priority areas: Blue Economy, Caring State, Dignified Families, Jazeera Dhiriulhun, and Good Governance. Under these areas, there are goals relevant to each area and the precise steps to be taken to accomplish them.

According to government statistics, there are 1,337 developmental projects being carried out as part of the current administration’s Strategic Action Plan across these five focus areas. About half of these projects have either been completed or are currently ongoing.

BLUE ECONOMY outlines economic priorities and how it will be delivered in a sustainable manner. This includes tourism, MSMEs, fisheries and marine resources, agriculture, labour, employment and migration, as well as economic diversification.

CARING STATE outlines priorities relevant to social progress, including health, education, higher education, social protection, prevention of narcotics and drug rehabilitation.

DIGNIFIED FAMILIES also outlines priorities relevant to social progress, such as housing, youth issues, community empowerment, Islamic faith, sports and family.

JAZEERA DHIRIULHUN outlines priorities relevant to community infrastructure and services. This includes clean energy, waste as a resource, environment protection and preservation, resilient communities, ICT, water and sanitation, transport network, arts, culture and heritage, as well as decentralization.

GOOD GOVERNANCE outlines key governance reforms, such as national security and public safety, accountable state, independent institutions and public service reform, rule of law and judicial reform, gender equality, foreign affairs, and elimination of corruption.