President Mohamed Nasheed has said FY 2011 budget will include increased funding for individual islands to implement projects and programmes in those islands.
Speaking on budget priority areas in his weekly radio address on Friday, the President emphasized that 2011 budget would be different from previous budgets adding it would be a ‘programme budget’.
“Funding for several infrastructure projects like provision of water, sewerage systems, harbours, breakwaters, causeways, electricity, buildings, hospitals, and schools is included in the budget,” he said.
The President, however, said the budget would not only focus on capital expenses for infrastructure projects.
The budget, he revealed, would facilitate loans to boost small and medium-sized enterprises, including agriculture and fishery sectors.
The President explained that through expanding the private sector, the government was hopeful of job creation.
Other priority areas in 2011 budget would include expansion of ‘holistic education’, health, and social protection system, the President added.
In his weekly radio address, the President Nasheed also spoke on International Day on Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and Universal Children’s Day which are being marked today and tomorrow, respectively.
Saying that the “real reason behind the advancement of humanity is the proper growth of children”, the President called for promoting greater pubic awareness on children’s rights and interests.
