President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed that youth empowerment remains a top priority for the Administration, expressing confidence that ongoing efforts will overcome existing challenges and yield positive outcomes for the nation's youth.
The President made these remarks during the fifth episode of The Pulse, a podcast series published by the President's Office. This week's episode focused on youth empowerment, giving the President another opportunity to address and respond to the concerns of young people.
Highlighting the youth as vital stakeholders in nation-building, the President outlined initiatives aimed at fostering economic and educational advancement. He provided updates on the Administration's unprecedented efforts to develop sports infrastructure, underscoring a commitment to building a healthier, more active society. The President emphasised that these developments are not confined to the capital, Malé, but are being progressively implemented across the country, and assured that the projects are on track for successful completion by the first quarter of 2028.
Recognising that mental well-being is intrinsically linked to various life circumstances, the President noted that holistic measures are already underway to ensure strong mental health support for young people.
Turning to economic empowerment, President Dr Muizzu highlighted key Government interventions designed to boost youth participation in the private sector and secure sustainable income avenues. He detailed the loan schemes introduced to increase youth ownership in business, alongside measures aimed at dismantling wider barriers to their professional growth. Addressing the challenges posed to young professionals by undocumented expatriates, the President stressed the necessity of a collective effort to resolve the issue.
The President further reiterated the Administration's target for the creative economy to contribute at least 15 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, outlining the steps being taken to realise this vision.
Concluding the episode, the President underscored that the Administration's underlying philosophy is to guide and empower citizens towards prosperous pathways. He noted that the work required to bring a lasting solution to the issue of undocumented expatriates is nearing completion, and reiterated that the Government's long-term vision focuses on prioritising Maldivians in employment and entrepreneurship, nurturing local talent across diverse sectors, and ensuring that graduates enter the workforce equipped with either advanced academic or vocational skills. He expressed confidence that these initiatives will deliver meaningful progress.
Senior journalist at Eki Online, Hawwa Shifla, participated in this episode as the invited journalist.
