President Muizzu Announces National Development Master Plan to Decentralize Growth Across Islands

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the formulation of the National Development Master Plan is nearing completion, signaling a strategic shift toward equitable growth across all regions of the Maldives. Speaking on the PSM News program 'Nation Chat,' the President emphasized that the policy focuses on decentralized development to ensure growth is not concentrated solely within the capital, Malé. According to the President, the current administration has completed 590 projects across various sectors during its first two years and eight months. He contrasted this figure with previous administrations, noting that the former Maldivian Democratic Party government completed 285 projects, and the administration prior to that finished 321 within similar timeframes. Currently, work is progressing on 1,635 projects, a volume that significantly exceeds the 414 and 355 projects handled by the two preceding governments during comparable periods. These initiatives are following a structured roadmap designed to balance rapid implementation with fiscal responsibility. The President detailed that the next two years of development are being mapped alongside strict cash flow management, budgetary allocations, loan servicing, and debt repayment strategies to ensure long-term economic stability. Beyond infrastructure, the administration is prioritizing community well-being. President Muizzu highlighted the unprecedented goal of establishing children's parks and outdoor gyms on every island, stating that fitness and waste management centers will be completed well before July 26, 2028. The initial draft of the master plan is nearly finalized. A sectoral stakeholder validation workshop is scheduled to take place before the official release in November. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to implement manifesto promises aimed at expanding the gross domestic product and securing the Maldives' transition to developed nation status by 2040.