Commerce - ވިޔަފާރިއާއި އިޤްތިޞާދު
Browse
ArticleItem Medium term debt management strategy 2021-2023(Ministry of Finance, Republic of Maldives) Ministry of Finance, Republic of Maldives; މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް ފައިނޭންސް، މާލެ ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ BookItem ތަރައްޤީގެ ޕްލޭން 2022-2026(މާޅޮސްމަޑުލު ދެކުނުބުރީ ދަރަވަންދޫ ކައުންސިލް) މާޅޮސްމަޑުލު ދެކުނުބުރީ ދަރަވަންދޫ ކައުންސިލް; Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburee Dharavandhoo Council ArticleItem ޤައުމީ އުފެއްދުންތެރިކަމުގެ މިންގަނޑު 2012 އިން 2016 އަށް(Maldives Bureau of Statistics) މޯލްޑިވްސް ބިއުރޯ އޮފް ސްޓެޓިސްޓިކްސް; Maldives Bureau of Statistics ArticleItem Maldives economic update(World Bank, 4-2013) World Bank ArticleItem International uranium resources evaluation project(International Atomic Energy Agency, 1977-11) International Atomic Energy Agency Technical ReportItem The Maldives : an introductory economic report(The World Bank, 1980) Lateef, K. Sarwar; Loos, Jane; Santen, Gert van; Doggart, Caroline; Tanakal, Yukio Technical ReportItem A world bank country study : The Maldives : an introductory economic report(South Asia Regional Office, The World Bank, 1980-01-01)Item ޤައުމުތައް ތަރައްޤީކުރުން(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1981-12-01) މުޙައްމަދު ވަހީދު ޙަސަން; Waheed Hassan, MohamedItem މަޢީޞިއްޔާތު(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1982-04-01) ޢަބްދުލް ޙަކީމް ޙުސައިންމަނިކު; Hussainmanik, Abdul Hakeem ArticleItem ތާރީޚްގެ ތެރެއިން : އިކޮނޮމީ(ދިވެހި ބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1982-06-01) ޢަބްދުލްޙަކީމް ޙުސައިން މަނިކު; Manik, Abdul Hakeem Hussain ArticleItem ޙަޤީޤީ މިނިވަންކަން ޤައުމުގެ ފުދުންތެރިކަން(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1990-10) އިބްރާޙީމް ރަޝީދު މޫސާ; Moosa, Ibrahim, Rasheed ArticleItem ރަށްވެހި ކަމުގެ ތެރޭގައި ދިވެހީން(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1991-09-01) އަހުމަދު ޝަފީޤް; Shafeeq, AhmedItem The Economic make-up of the Maldivian society..... : an historical over-view(މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް ފިޝަރީޒް އެންޑް އެގްރިކަލްޗަރ, 1991-12-10) ޙަސަން އަޙްމަދު މަނިކު; Maniku, Hassan Ahmed ArticleItem Maldives : Male airport upgrading project(World Bank, 1995-12-28) World Bank; ވޯލްޑު ބޭންކު ArticleItem Poverty reduction and economic management unit South Asia region : Maldives country economics memorandum : policies for sustaining economics growth(World Bank, 1999-04-19) World Bank; ވޯލްޑު ބޭންކު ArticleItem ގައުމުގެ ތަރައްގީގައި ބިދޭސީންގެ ހިއްސާ އިތުރުވުމުން ކޮށްފާނެ ނޭދެވޭ އަސަރު(އިޔާޒު ނަސީމް, 2000) އިޔާޒު ނަސީމް; Naseem, Iyaaz ArticleItem Regulations for banks and financial institutions(Maldives Monetary Authority, 2000-08-01) Maldives Monetary Authority OtherItem ބޭންކް އޮފް މޯލްޑިވްސް ޓެކްނޮލޮޖީއާ ރައްޓެހިކަމުގެ ގޮތުން އެހެން ބޭންކްތަކަށް ނާމޫނާއެއް(މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އިންފޮމޭޝަން، އާޓްސް އެންޑް ކަލްޗަރ، މާލެ، ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ, 2001-01-01) ޢަބްދުﷲ ޒަމީރު; Zameer, Abdulla ArticleItem ކަރާ ވިއްކައިގެން ތޮއްޑޫގެ ދަނޑުވެރިންނަށް ލިބެނީ ބޮޑު ހިނިތުންވުމެއް(މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އިންފޮމޭޝަން، އާޓްސް އެންޑް ކަލްޗަރ, 2001-12-01) މުޙައްމަދު ލުޠުފީ; Luthufee, Mohamed ArticleItem ހުސް ޗެކް(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 2003-06-01) ޢަބްދުﷲ ޞާދިޤު; Sodhiq, Abdulla Working PaperItem Economic and environmental vulnerabilities of the Maldives and graduation from LDC status(University of Malta, Islands and Small States Institute & The Commonwealth Secretariat, 2004) Majeed, Abdullahi; Abdulla, AmjadThe Maldives is a small island developing state, heavily dependent on fisheries and tourism, which are major sources of foreign exchange earnings and government revenue, and which together account for about 40 percent of gross domestic product. The success of these industries depends on climatic conditions. This renders the country very vulnerable economically and environmentally. The Least Developed Country status of the Maldives is under threat because the country has experienced relative economic improvements that, ironically, have to a large extent been possible by virtue of the support accorded to the Maldives as an LDC. This chapter argues that the criteria used in assessing LDC status need to be refined so as to give more weight to economic vulnerability. The chapter also proposes that no country should be graduated until the criteria are appropriately refined, so as to avoid the risk that the country in question ends up worse-off in spite of its economic successes.Item Exploring the Maldives regional economic cooperation potential : final report(Asian Development Bank, 2004-05) Lord, Montague ArticleItem ބޮލީގެ ވިޔަފާރި(ދިވެހި ބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދްމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 2004-10-01) ނަސީމާ މުޙައްމަދު,; Mohamed, N ArticleItem Poverty reduction and economics management sector unit South Asia Region : Maldives country economics update : sustaining robust development(World Bank, 2004-12-15) World Bank ArticleItem The Maldives : trade brief(World Bank, 2006) World Bank; ވޯލްޑު ބޭންކުItem Somalia - Joint needs assessment : macroeconomic policy framework and data development cluster report(World Bank Group, 2006-08) ވޯރލްޑް ބޭންކް ގްރޫޕް; World Bank Group Technical ReportItem Maldives : diagnostic trade integration study : volume 1(2006-11)A. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES The Maldives is a low-lying archipelago consisting of approximately 1,190 islands, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. It has exclusive economic rights over some 859,000 km of sea surrounding the islands but its land mass is limited to only 300 km and is widely scattered over an 850 km north-south fairly narrow stretch. Its population of around 300,000 people inhabits about 200 islands, dispersed in 26 geographical atolls1, and organized in 20 regional administrative units. One third of the inhabited islands have a population of less than 500, the rest have a population of less than 1,000. This exceptionally wide dispersion of its people makes the Maldives unique, even among other countries that are archipelagos. Of the remaining islands, 87 are tourist resorts and 57 are leased for commercial agriculture or used for industrial activity and garbage storage. Accordingly, the vast majority of the islands are uninhabited although a few of these are used for subsistence agriculture. The surrounding sea contains enormous fishery resources. The islands are also an attractive tourist destination given their sandy white beaches and clear lagoons, bringing more than 600,000 tourist arrivals in 2004. The main natural endowments are thus associated with the marine environment. However, the meagre landmass is a causal factor limiting economic opportunities and market development and the country’s geographical features incur high transport costs, thus putting pressure on the competitiveness of the economy. B. GOVERNMENT The Maldives is an independent sovereign nation governed under a democratic executivestyle system. The capital Male’ is situated roughly almost at the middle of the north-south string of islands that make up the country. The president, also head of state and government, and lawmakers are elected according to universally accepted democratic principles for a term of five years. Each atoll is represented in the country’s legislature. Over the years, the country has been politically stable, and in May 2005, the first steps for introducing a multiparty system were taken. 1 Atoll is derived from the Maldivian word atholhu, the only Maldivian word that has become international. It identifies an atoll as a number of islands sharing a common outer reef; there can be one to several hundreds of islands forming an atoll. xi C. ECONOMIC TRENDS Buoyant GDP growth of up to 6 – 9 per cent year driven by investment in the tourism sector with negative or very low levels of inflation is a distinctive feature of the economy in recent years. Significant progress has also been achieved in human and social development over the past two decades. Prudent macroeconomic and public investment policies as well as a largely favourable external environment has facilitated this progress, lifting the Maldives from being one of the 20 poorest countries in the 1970s to one that shares many characteristics of a lower middle-income country today. The GDP per capita was Rf 30,733 (US$ 2,401 equivalent) in 2004. As a result, the Maldives’ graduation from LDC status is a real possibility. However, the government would prefer to delay graduation so as not to lose foreign assistance – including participation in the Integrated Framework – that is critical to the country’s recovery from the divesting tsunami that hit the Maldives and other countries in the region on 26th December 2004. Although loss of human life was minimal, it is estimated that the loss to the economy caused by the tsunami is around 62 per cent of GDP, with full recovery not expected before 2008. It is understood that the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is sensitive to the government’s need for a carefully managed graduation programme with appropriate transition arrangements. Though liberalization of the economy is advanced and economic growth rates are nominally high, a significant proportion of the jobs created have gone to foreign workers due to rigidities in the local labour market. For a variety of reasons that is elaborated upon in the DTIS, relatively high levels of unemployment and underemployment are a distinctive characteristic of the economy. Flexibility in macro-economic policy is somewhat limited as the country’s currency, the Rufiyaa, is pegged to the US dollar. Recent developments have had a negative impact on trade and economic performance. In particular, there has been a dramatic change in 2005 following the tsunami. This resulted in a downturn in the tourism sector which contributes substantially both to GDP and to foreign exchange earnings. In addition, the garment and apparel industry literally collapsed during 2004 as the end of the Multi-Fibre Agreement (MFA) quota system approached. Rising oil prices throughout 2005 and during the first half of 2006 has brought about a downward spiral in the terms of trade. The boom years that Maldives has experienced in recent years up to 2004 may now be at an end. There is therefore an urgent need to address this situation so that measures can be taken to mitigate the problems that are now being experienced. To this extent, the DTIS exercise for the Maldives has been more than timely. xii D. POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT The recent economic shocks that the country has experienced have exposed the constraints of an economy that is dependent essentially on the tourism sector and the limited intra- and inter-sectoral linkages. Moreover, lack of employment opportunities and insufficient provision of secondary and tertiary education facilities on the atolls, has caused migration to Male’. Migratory trends were further aggravated by the tsunami. As a result the Male’ population is now estimated at 70,000, whereas its theoretical capacity is 50,000. Congestion and unemployment are the immediate negative impacts. With regard to indicators of human welfare, in particular the human development index (HDI), in 2005 the Maldives was ranked 96 (HDI=0.745), behind Dominican Republic (0.749), Turkey (0.750) and Sri Lanka (0.751), ahead of Turkmenistan (0.738) and Jamaica (0.738). This is actually a small slide from a ranking of 84 in 2004 when the Maldives was ahead of Turkey (94) and Sri Lanka (96). The GDP per capita of $ 2,401 in 2004 is near that of Vietnam but below Sri Lanka and Seychelles. The Vulnerability and Poverty Assessment (VPA) carried out by UNDP in 1997 and 2004 indicated that absolute poverty is below one percent. E. TRADE PERFORMANCE AND POLICIES The Maldives economy is very open. Trade in goods typically accounts for around 75-80 per cent of GDP. If services are taken into account, trade in goods and services account for approximately 150 per cent of GDP. Imports of goods typically outweigh exports of goods (mostly fish and fish products) by a factor of between three and four. However, this large shortfall in foreign exchange earnings is to a large extent made up for by revenues from the export of services via the tourism sector. There is therefore only a relatively modest negative current accounts balance. Although there is currently very limited production activity in the Maldives, there is need to be aware of anti-export bias in the tariff structure that may impact on other sectors, such as tourism. Apparently, this problem is being addressed through the extensive use of discretionary duty concessions and exemptions. The total value of these in 2004 was Rf. 413 million, compared to actual collections of Rf 1,136 m, representing approximately 36 per cent of total revenue. In previous years the proportion of concessions and exemptions has been similar (37 per cent in 2001). In 2004 main beneficiary sectors were tourism and fisheries. Theoretically, graduation from least-developed country status will affect the privileges and preferences that Maldives currently enjoys under the multilateral trading system as an LDC member of the WTO. As the graduation of an LDC is unprecedented since the establishment of the WTO in 1995, the graduation of the Maldives will establish some important precedents for the trade body in regard to transitional arrangements. Indeed, xiii WTO members (through the Committee for Trade and Development, CTD) have responded cautiously and agreed to grant the Maldives a transitional period based on a roadmap for graduation to be prepared by the Maldives government. However, in tangible terms, there are two major consequences of Maldives graduating from LDC status: loss of preferential market access; and possible reduction in trade related technical cooperation. F. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT The business environment in the Maldives is liberal – the result of which is particularly visible in the tourism sector. As a result, the Maldives comes out fairly well in the World Bank ‘Doing Business Survey’ of such issues as ease of entry and establishment or free repatriation of profits (see the Appendix to this chapter). Indeed, given the specificity of tourism sector ‘resource-seeking’ investment, or perhaps more aptly in the Maldives case, ‘resort-seeking’ investment, a benign approach is primarily what is required to attract the necessary flows. But the business environment in the Maldives is also one in which there are significant gaps in the underlying policy, institutional and legal framework for business development and private sector support. This is reflected in the general weakness of the domestic private sector and thin national portfolio of SMEs engaged in value added activities in the dominant tourism and fishery sectors, forging stronger intraand inter-sectoral linkages, and achieving a more diversified economy. It is also true that as a small island developing economy, the business environment in the Maldives poses formidable challenges for the investor and entrepreneur. Aside from Male’, the capital, there is no significant population centre. Local markets are also difficult to reach given the exceptionally wide dispersion of people. There are therefore serious limitations on the extent to which economies of scale can be exploited. High costs of transportation, infrastructure, energy and water, complete dependence on imported technology, and unavailability of a wide range of skills are further constraints on attaining a competitive business environment. These difficulties were dramatized in the collapse of garment manufacturing when the Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) expired at the end of 2004. The challenge for the Maldives is to put in place the necessary framework to enable it to take full advantage of its comparative advantage in the tourism and fishery sectors and strong potential in other sectors such as horticulture, port services, handicraft, aquaculture, etc. There is considerable scope for value-added business opportunities in the two main sectors and for dynamic linkages between these and other sectors. As the Appendix illustrates, on some key aspects of the business environment, the record of the Maldives is mixed. xiv G. CUSTOMS SERVICES AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE The discussion in the DTIS of the services that facilitate trade in the Maldives is based on recognition that tourism and fishery are the most important export sectors. Currently, over 600,000 tourists a year visit the country, with projections for continuing growth. This requires adequate airport, port and transport transfer facilities to service this volume of visitors in addition to efficient importation processes for the inputs – ranging from construction materials for building and maintenance work on the resorts to food, beverages, and other consumer goods - required by the tourism sector. The fishery sector also depends on the importation of critical inputs such as fuel, boat engines and other fishing gear. Fishery exports are mostly perishable goods and therefore depend on efficient export processes. Significant constraints in hub capacity for both air and maritime transport need to be addressed. Transaction costs are lower when customs procedures are carried out efficiently. The DTIS research confirmed that there is a perception among private sector users that customs procedures are not applied in a uniform and customary way across the country. Malpractice is alleged arising from face-to-face contact between clients and customs officers. But the overall assessment of the DTIS team is that customs procedures are satisfactory although there is room for improvement. In particular, although the customs service is computerized and officers have received training in operating such tools and facilities, there are still gaps at the technical level hindering an optimal use of the technology and IT software systems available. For example, the ASYCUDA++ is not fully utilized and all potential application towards more efficient use has not been explored. In addition, current operational systems and procedures in the cargo control area impede the movement of goods and do not meet the set objective of obtaining maximum revenue at minimum cost. There is also a lack of effective communication and coordination among customs services, the trading community and other agencies (port authority, aviation services, clearing agents, coast guard or police), which adversely affects the efficiency of processes relating to the movement of goods. H. TOURISM SECTOR Very few countries in the world can offer tourists an exotic atoll environment, and even fewer countries in the world are made up of coral platforms, with the accompanying image of Robinson Cruise islands and islets with white sandy beaches, unpolluted crystal clear water and abundant marine life. Overall, the assessment of the DTIS is that institutional capacity for the development, management and implementation of tourism policy in the Maldives is adequate, although there are significant gaps and policy shortcomings. There is also an almost total absence of civil society involvement or engagement with tourism policy. xv The recommendations cover these issues including the need for support to SME development to facilitate linkages within and between tourism and other economic sectors. With foreign workers accounting for over half the total number of jobs in the tourism sector, the recommendations also deal with labour market issues, education and training. I. FISHERY SECTOR The geographical characteristics of the Maldives as an archipelago with a 960,000-km² exclusive economic zone (EEZ) make marine resources an important natural asset. The vast EEZ contains a variety of pelagic species (i.e. fish living in the open ocean) such as tuna species and mackerel, near shore reef fish species and demersal or bottom living species. There are two main commercially active sub-sectors: marine catch fishery and fish processing. There is at present no aquaculture on any commercial scale. Unlike tourism where the government is active in promoting FDI and in marketing the Maldives as a destination, the fishery sector has seen virtually no FDI and attracts relatively little government support. The assessment of the DTIS is that the overall capacity to carry out fishery policy analysis and implement development plans is considered insufficient. There is scope for upgrading the level of technical training and bringing modern methods of fishery policy management into work of the key government agencies concerned. The non-alignment of policy with commercial opportunities is further reflected in the almost total absence of aquaculture – the cultivation of certain fish species – in the Maldives although the reef provides a natural habitat. Another gap concerns the inadequate policy measures to promote the sector as an employment and business opportunity. Although fishing as such is potentially lucrative and generates average returns that are higher than income from public sector employment, as an occupation it is held in low esteem in Maldives society. The younger population shuns fishing, a trend confirmed by survey findings which shows that the average crew age is increasing. The provision of appropriate training facilities as the basis of modernization and professionalization of the occupation can help overcome this trend with significant gains for the development of the sector. Credit and business support facilities for the occupation are also required. Inadequate policy measures to promote the sector as an employment and business opportunity is also reflected in the weak linkages to the tourism industry. Although resort and catering industry chefs demand fresh reef fish, crustacean products and the more expensive tuna species such as yellowfin and bigeye for their clientele, supply has been uncertain and inconsistent, leading in some case to fish imports! ArticleItem ހިސާބުބެލުމުގެ ދުވަސްވަރު(Dhivehi Bahaai Thareekhah Khidhumaikuraa Qaumee Marukazu, 2006-12-01) Hameed, Abdulla; ޢަބުދުﷲ ޙަމީދު Technical ReportItem Government budget in statistics Republic of Maldives financial year 2007(Ministry of Finance, 2007) Ministry of Finance; މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް ފިނޭންސް ArticleItem Electronic government procurement : regarding assessment & roadmap : Republic of Maldives May 2007(World Bank, 2007-05) World Bank; ވޯލްޑު ބޭންކު ArticleItem Maldives : public sector accounting and auditing : a comparison to international standards(World Bank, 2007-06) World Bank Technical ReportItem Doing business 2009 : country profile for Maldives : comparing regulation in 181 economics(World Bank, 2008) World Bank ArticleItem Maldives : trade at -a-galnce(World Bank, 2008-12) World Bank; ވޯލްޑު ބޭންކު ArticleItem Maldives trade brief(World Bank, 2009) Word Bank, ވޯލްޑް ބޭންކް Technical ReportItem Doing business 2010 Maldives : comparing regulation in 183 economics(World Bank, 2009) World BankItem Creating Financial Infrastructure in a Large Transition Economy – Lessons from China’s New Credit Bureau(World Bank Group, 2009-04) ވޯރލްޑް ބޭންކް ގްރޫޕް; World Bank Group Technical ReportItem South Asia forum on the impact of global economic and financial crisis(Asian Development Bank, 2009-06) Centennial Group Holdings, LLC Technical ReportItem Maldives economics updates : economic policy and poverty team South Asia Region(World Bank, 2009-09) World Bank Technical ReportItem Debt Management performance assessment (DeMPA) : Maldives(World Bank, 2009-10) World BankFrom October 19 to 27, 2009, a World Bank team in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat undertook a debt management performance assessment of the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GRM). The objective was to undertake a comprehensive assessment of debt management functions using the Debt Management Performance Assessment tool (DeMPA, version of November 2008). As part of the assessment, the team met relevant officials dealing with public debt management in Maldives from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT), the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the Attorney General, the Auditor General‘s office, the National Disaster Management Centre, Capital Markets Development Authority, the State Bank of India and the Bank of Maldives (see Annex 1 for a list of meetings). The assessment for Maldives was timely. The current situation shows moderately high government debt levels (around 55 per cent of GDP) with sustainability indicators reflecting vulnerabilities (at current trajectory of primary deficit, the IMF Article IV report estimated debt levels would reach 75 per cent of GDP by 2013). The recently concluded Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) findings highlighted areas for improvement relating to budget execution and credibility, audit and legislative oversight, cash management and the treasury single account (TSA), and monitoring and managing fiscal risks. Meanwhile, the government has significant funding needs to meet development and growth priorities (gross financing including rollover is estimated at an average of 12-13 per cent of GDP per year for the next 5 years). This requires prudent debt management to avoid debt–related vulnerabilities from crystallizing. The DeMPA tool was applied to Maldives to assess the strengths and areas for improvement in debt management operations and provide a baseline for undertaking future reforms in debt management. The main findings of the mission are summarized below: Governance and Strategy Development • The primary legislation (the Constitution and the Public Finance Law, 2006) provide authorization to borrow and issue debt and loan guarantees; in addition the requirements for reporting and audits are also specified. Pre-authorization for specified borrowing purposes is a requirement. An important gap, however, is that the objectives for debt management are not specified in the law. • A debt management strategy is not prepared and no entity is given the responsibility to coordinate its formulation in the government. There is a lack of focus on total central government debt which is a priority area for reform, especially when contemplating the development of the strategy. There is no description of measures to develop the domestic debt market. Coordination with Macroeconomic Policies • Coordination among the debt management entities, the fiscal advisors and monetary authorities has been weak with infrequent exchange of information. The Macro Economic 3 Coordination Committee (membership from the MOFT and the MMA1,) does provide the structure but needs to meet more regularly. • External debt service projections are provided by the External Resource Management Division of the MOFT to the Budget Division, but a debt sustainability analysis is not undertaken by them. Domestic & External Borrowing • On the external borrowing side, yearly borrowing plans with a detailed assessment of the most beneficial terms (lowest cost) from creditors are prepared. Due diligence through a formal organizational structure and procedural requirements is exercised while issuing loan guarantees and on-lending funds. However, due to staff shortages credit risk assessments prior to issuing loan guarantees are not always done in a consistent and regular manner for all loan guarantees. • There is no borrowing calendar available for accessing the domestic markets. The reliance on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) from the central bank constrains the development of the domestic market. The market participants, however, informed the mission that transparency and disclosure practices on the part of the government were strong which was also demonstrated by the disclosure of information on the MMA website. Cash Balance Management and Cash Forecasting • Steps were being taken by the MOFT to improve cash management for the entire government, through the development of a model to forecast cash flows. The government had a large number of bank accounts (over 1800) that were not reconciled on a daily/weekly basis. Operational Risk Management • There are readily accessible procedures manuals for contracting, recording, and servicing debt. However, business continuity and disaster recovery plans were not in place. Data security practices (offsite storage, etc) were weak. There was no established procedure in case of emergency situation. Key person risk was high and recruitment and retention of skilled staff is a severe constraint. Debt Records and Reporting • Recording of debt data is completed within reasonable time. There is, however, no centralized reporting of total central government debt; domestic guaranteed loans are not reported and a debt statistical bulletin giving risk indicators was not published. On the quality of debt data, debt data records were accurate and complete for all external loans, albeit with a lag of some months for external guarantees and on-lent funds but data for domestic debt (specially the recent securitized advances with the MMA) were being uploaded onto the Book Entry System. 1 The Fiscal affairs and Economic Policy Division, Department of Inland Revenue, External Resources Management Division from MOFT sits on the technical level committee whereas the membership of the ―Policy Committee‖ comprises of the Minister of Finance and the State Minister, Minister of State for Fisheries and Agriculture, MMA Advisor to the Governor, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism and the Department of National Planning. ArticleItem Maldivian Red Crescent (Registered in the Republic of Maldives) : financial statements as at 31st December 2010(KPMG Ford, Rhodes, Thornton & Co., 2010) KPMG Ford Rhodes, Thornton & Co.; ކޭއެމްޕީއެމްގީ ފޯޑް ރޯޑްސް، ތޯންޓަން އެންޑް ކޯ.