The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has named nine resorts and 20 farming islands as non-payers of tourism land rent and long-term agricultural lease rent.
The previous list published by MIRA included 12 resorts and four islands leased for agriculture.
The new list also includes resorts on the old list. The first four names on the list below were also previously named as non-compliers.
Non-payers of tourism land rent
- A.A.A And Trading Company Pvt Ltd - F. Filitheyo (Filitheyo Island Resort)
- Theluveliga Retreat Pvt Ltd - Adh. Theluveliga (Drift Theluveliga Retreat)
- Medhufushi Investment Pvt Ltd - M. Medhufushi (Medhufushi Island Resort)
- Athama Marine International Pvt Ltd - B. Kihaadhuffaru, B. Hirundhoo, B. Huraafaru (Kihaa Maldives)
- Ali Moosa - L. Vadinolhu (resort under development)
- Aqua Sun Investment Pvt Ltd - Aa. Etheremadivaru
- Asia Resorts Pvt Ltd - Th. Kalhufahalafushi
- Dollarton Pte. Ltd - S. Hankede
- Richclub Maldives Pvt Ltd - Two plots of land from Aa. Mathiveri
The resorts notably include three that were on a list of land rent non-payers published in 2011. They are Faafu Filitheyo, Meemu Medhufushi and Baa Kihaadhuffaru.
Media reports from then show that millions were owed as land rent for the islands. During former President Abdulla Yameen's government, the resort operators made agreements with the government to settle the outstanding amounts in instalments over 10 years.
But the government at the time withheld the operating licenses of Theluveliga and Hodaafushi for failing to make payments in line with the agreement. The resorts were allowed to resume operating in 2019 by the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government.
According to figures previously released by MIRA, unpaid resort rent and accrued fines reached MVR 17 billion by 2020. After deducting rent deferred due to covid, the figure stands at MVR 16 billion.
