Cabinet advices the President to permit eco-agro tourism in uninhabited islands that are under long-term lease

In its meeting held on Wednesday, the Cabinet has advised President Dr Mohamed Waheed to permit eco-agro tourism in uninhabited islands that are under long-term lease. The Cabinet made this recommendation after discussing a paper presented by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.

Among the objectives of staring starting eco-agro tourism include:

- provide maximum benefit of the natural beauty of islands of Maldives to the Maldivian people
- find ways to secure funds to invest in the fisheries and agriculture sectors
- promote local products
- encourage sustainable agriculture
- promote greater awareness on the natural beauty, the flora and fauna of the Maldives

At yesterday’s meeting, the Cabinet also advised the President to establish a Fisheries Promotion Board. The Fisheries Promotion Board would facilitate the expansion of local fish and fishery products into international markets.