Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COLOMBO218
2006-02-10 05:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2006 -

Tags:  EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV OPIC USTR MV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0218/01 0410537
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100537Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2537
RUCPCIM/CIMS NTDB WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 6341
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 8909

RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5792
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 3826
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1000
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000218 

SIPDIS



STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA AND SA/INS
STATE PASS USTR
STATE PASS OPIC, TDA, EXIM

TREASURY FOR DO/GCHRISTOPOLUS; USDOC FOR ITA/ATAYLOR

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV OPIC USTR MV
SUBJECT: IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2006 -
MALDIVES

REF: (A) 05 STATE 211900
(B) 05 STATE 202943

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000218

SIPDIS



STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA AND SA/INS
STATE PASS USTR
STATE PASS OPIC, TDA, EXIM

TREASURY FOR DO/GCHRISTOPOLUS; USDOC FOR ITA/ATAYLOR

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV OPIC USTR MV
SUBJECT: IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2006 -
MALDIVES

REF: (A) 05 STATE 211900
(B) 05 STATE 202943


1. THE FOLLOWING IS THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT
FOR MALDIVES FOR 2006

INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT
MALDIVES

FEBRUARY 2006


2. Maldives is comprised of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are
inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands. The local
population is about 285,000, and over 600,000 tourists arrive
annually. Over the past decade, real GDP growth averaged over 7.5
percent per year, powered mainly by growth in tourism and its spin-
offs in transport, communication, and construction. Per capita
income was $2,100 in 2004, compared to an average of about $500 in
the rest of South Asia. While income disparity remains high, this
growth also resulted in considerable social progress. The net
enrollment in primary education was close to 100 percent.
Literacy rates were about 98 percent. Infant mortality and
maternal mortality were declining rapidly. One week before the
Tsunami disaster, the United Nations decided to graduate Maldives

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from the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and was granted
a three year grace period to prepare for the transition, though
this has been subsequently put on hold due to the impact of the
tsunami.

SIPDIS


3. The Asian tsunami in December 2004 caused extensive economic
losses to Maldives. Total damages were initially estimated by
donors at around $470 million -- close to 62 percent of GDP. This
figure did not include loss of private assets and incomes.
Fourteen inhabited islands were destroyed and another 39 suffered
severe damage. A few resort islands also suffered extensive
damage. Most losses were concentrated in housing and tourism,
with education, fisheries, and transport also heavily affected.

The latest estimates put the recovery cost at $393 million
excluding $100 million in damages to resorts, the bulk of which
was covered by private insurance. Although reconstruction has
begun, the recovery process remains under-funded. Maldives
requires about $140 million to bridge the funding gap. The
Government continues to seek external assistance from donors and
to explore foreign investment to cover the shortfall. Shelter,
power and energy, disaster management and infrastructure are key
sectors requiring additional funds. The reconstruction effort
presents an opportunity to address longstanding issues such as
providing safe water, sanitation, health and education for island
populations and empowering them.


4. As a result of the tsunami, the Maldivian economy contracted
by about 5.5 percent in 2005 compared to an 8.8 percent growth
rate in 2004. A dramatic tourism sector decline following the
tsunami has been a major cause of the economic downturn in 2005.

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Tourist arrivals declined by about 50 percent in the first half of
2005, with total arrivals for the year likely being about 35
percent less than 2004 , reflecting a substantial recovery towards
the end of 2005. Tourism is expected to remain the main driver of
the economy in the post-tsunami era. The island resorts, for the
most part, experienced only minor damage. Maldives is intensively
marketing its status as a unique tourist destination. The second
largest economic sector, fisheries, which contributes about 9
percent of GDP, has continued to grow following the tsunami,
despite substantial losses to small boats and fisheries
infrastructure. Most of the larger vessels were not damaged and
are being fully utilized. The loss of agricultural land and
livelihoods of island communities has been substantial. In
addition to the tsunami, high oil prices have also dealt a blow to
the economy due to the high dependency on air transport for
tourism, marine transport for travel between the islands and a
heavy reliance on oil for electricity generation.


5. The impact of the tsunami on the Government budget was also
substantial as reconstruction spending increased and revenue
(especially from tourism) declined. The government has received
about $83 million in grant assistance to cover tsunami related
expenditure in 2005. Foreign grants of about $130 million are

expected in 2006. It is estimated that the budget shortfall,
after accounting for grants, will be about $100 million in 2005
and $165 million in 2006. Budget support is expected from the
World Bank and the ADB following a planned IMF review in March

2006. Inflation, which had been flat and falling for some years,
picked up sharply in 2004-2005 to about 6 percent.


6. Maldives is also experiencing adverse impacts on its balance
of payments due to the tsunami. The current account deficit is
expected to widen sharply, reflecting the steep drop in tourism
and rising reconstruction related imports. On the export side,
while fish exports have increased substantially (about 20
percent),apparel exports disappeared following the expiration of
the Multi Fiber Agreement (MFA) which sets quotas for developing
country garment exports in developed countries. The garment
industry was comprised entirely of foreign investors, mostly from
Sri Lanka, seeking quota advantages. However, the effects on the
economy are expected to be negligible since the apparel industry
yielded little value-added and imported all inputs. Additionally,
even its labor force was imported: most workers in garment
factories were Sri Lankan. The main effect of the factory
closings was about a 4 percent loss of government revenues derived
from land rentals.


7. The tsunami further demonstrated that Maldives, which has a
narrow economic base relying on tourism and fisheries, needs to
promote economic diversification to reduce vulnerability to
external shocks. This has been known for sometime; but how to
diversify such a small resource-poor nation is a challenge. A
recently released Strategic Economic Plan for Maldives, prepared
by the International Trade Institute of Singapore at the request
of the Government of Maldives, recommends several actions to
reduce the volatility and the vulnerability of the economy and to
mitigate adverse impacts of possible LDC graduation. The study
proposes extensive diversification of fisheries and tourism, and
expansion of agriculture to meet requirements of the tourism
sector and island populations. By capitalizing on the growth of
these traditional sectors, the study recommends Maldives expansion
into new areas such as ports and logistics services, information
and telecommunications, and offshore financial services.


8. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) along with other multilateral and bilateral
donors are active in Maldives providing assistance to improve
basic economic infrastructure and services to promote economic
diversification, employment opportunities and regional
development. The government is preparing its Seventh National
Development Plan which will identify major development projects
for the next five-year period.


9. There may be commercial opportunities especially in the
construction sector and in the supply of equipment in the post
tsunami recovery program.

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OPENNESS TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT
--------------


10. Maldives began opening up to foreign investment in the late
1980s. The government of the Republic of Maldives introduced a
Foreign Investment Services Bureau (FISB) in 1987, within the
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The lack of a strong
legal and procedural regime for investment and an over-reliance on
negotiations makes the job of the FISB difficult and presents an
added risk for investors. The FISB offers "one-stop shop"
services to investors and incentives such as 100 percent foreign
ownership, duty exemptions and no exchange controls or
restrictions on repatriation of profits. At present, personal
income taxes are not imposed, though banks' profits are taxed and
a corporate profit tax is under consideration for the end of the
decade. Domestic and international arbitration is available for
dispute settlement.


11. Foreign investment is governed by Law 25/79 (passed in 1979),
which provides for an agreement between the government and an
investor. The Law of Contract governs contractual relationships,
and a separate law (no. 4/79) governs business and trading
activities by foreign nationals. Investment agreements are for an
initial period of 5 to 10 years for investments less than $1

million, and can be renewed thereafter. For larger projects,
terms are negotiable. Foreign investors qualify for import duty
concessions as specified by the FISB.


12. The Government is committed to improving the investment
regime and speeding up the approval process. The FISB is in the
process of amending the FISB law with the help of the Foreign
I
nvestment Advisory Service (FIAS) of the World Bank group.
Currently, approvals for new investments take about one month, and
in some cases, when the investment is similar to previous
investments, immediate approval is given. The Economic Review
Committee reviews all proposed investments in "restricted" and
"approval with restrictions" areas or in areas involving
environmental or social impacts prior to granting licenses.


13. There are several foreign investments in Maldives, primarily
in resort management, but also in accounting services, banking,
telecommunications, air transport, courier services, and
manufacturing.


14. The FISB encourages investment projects which: (1) are
capital intensive; (2) enhance technology transfer; (3) introduce
new skills and offer training to local employees; and, (4) are
environmentally friendly. The FISB has identified several
industries that offer potential for investors, which are
summarized below.


15. Value Added Fisheries- fish processing is open to foreign
investment, particularly for new technology and capital
investment. Opportunities also exist for marine product
development and aquaculture, including tropical fish farming and
cultivation of seaweed, lobster, shrimp, reef fish and crab.


16. Financial- banking, accounting, and management consulting.
The FISB is interested in bringing in more global banks (only HSBC
is currently present). The present lack of adequate banking laws
has deterred entry.


17. Transport and other services- development of air and sea
transport including inter-atoll transport services, bunkering,
transshipment, and passenger cruises. The development of a
transshipment port in the north of the country for cargo bound for
Pakistan and the west coast of India is one of the highest
priorities. The government's goal is to develop a port that
handles 1.3 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually
and open nearby islands for industries, duty free shopping, and
export processing zones. The Government seeks financing and
intends to begin construction as soon as possible. Other key
priorities in the transport sector are the expansion of the Male'
Airport, a bridge connecting the capital city Male' with
Hulhumale, and a new commercial port in the Male' region. The new
resorts to open in the next few years will also require
transportation options from tourist arrival locations.


18. Other infrastructure development opportunities include
harbors and tourist resorts, residential/retirement islands for
foreigners, health resorts, and time-share plans. There are two
major development plans in the government's docket. The first is
a consolidation of services and infrastructure of the 20 atolls
around five regional centers, two of which have already been
established. The second is a capital project to alleviate
overcrowding in Male'. Reclamation and development of Hulhumale
Island, near Male', has already commenced. Hulhumale is projected
to house 50,000 people when the first stage of the project is
completed in 30 years and 150,000 when all three stages are
complete. However, cost of real estate on that island as well as
a cultural preference to not commute from another island appears
to be significantly slowing utilization of Hulhumale. Currently
1,000 people are in residence on the 465 acres of reclaimed land.
Basic amenities, such as electricity, water and
telecommunications, are being provided by the government at the
same rates as Male'. The government plans to offer 125 acres of
duty-free shopping, hoping to increase Maldives' attraction for
tourists. There will be potential opportunities in civil works,
supply of equipment and investment in the above projects. The
government is also currently funding harbor-dredging projects for
103 islands on a contract basis. While infrastructure development
remains a top priority for the government, some of the projects

listed above have been slowed as tsunami reconstruction work takes
priority.


19. Other sectors with potential opportunities include:

Tourism: Opportunities exist in the entire range of services,
including development and management of resorts, tourist
activities, and land and sea transportation. In 2005, the
Government awarded tenders for the development of 11 new resort
islands. As of February 2006, however, only four were under
construction as unsuccessful bidders continue to raise challenges
to the tender process. The Government has opened 35 additional
islands for resort development in 2006 and intends to establish
streamlined tender processes to make bidding less costly and more
transparent.

Telecommunications: Currently, Dhiraagu, jointly owned by UK's
Cable and Wireless and the Government of Maldives, is the main
provider of telecommunications services. Dhiraagu's monopoly on
cellular services ended when Wataniya International of Kuwait
commenced operations in August 2005. There are two ISP providers:
Focus Computers and Dhiraagu. In the past few months, numerous
wireless communication "hot spots" have sprung up around Male'.
Telecommunications operators are in the process of establishing
two optical fiber gateways, currently expected to be ready by
January 2007.

Information Technology: The FISB would like to establish a
"technology island" for software development and other IT
activities. While the connectivity infrastructure is not yet in
place to support such an operation, is the Government believes
that Maldives' climate, surroundings and pace of life would be
attractive to software developers.

Other sectors include petroleum exploration; marine-based
agriculture; health services, medical facilities and horticulture.


20. Sectors closed to investment: trading and the production of
any items illegal to import into Maldives.

CONVERSION AND TRANSFER POLICIES
--------------


21. There are no exchange controls or restrictions on currency
movements. Repatriation of funds and profits is allowed, after
local debts are settled.


22. Major international currencies can be bought and sold at
banks and authorized moneychangers. Hotels and banks accept major
credit cards and traveler's checks. Foreign-currency accounts are
available through banks. The US dollar is the most widely used
foreign currency and is accepted by small shops and taxi drivers
in Male'.


23. The official exchange rate is set at 12.8 Rufiyaa to the
dollar. The currency underwent a nine percent devaluation in July
2001 after staying at 11.77 Rufiyaa to the dollar for several
years. The Maldivian currency is non-convertible and its true
value cannot be determined. However, the Maldives Monetary
Authority (MMA) is currently working on a computer upgrade to help
track currency movements and provide better information on
currency flows. The Government has noted that it will need to
review the exchange rate policy in the next few years in order to
promote export diversification. The heavy dependence on imports
is a constraint for exchange rate management, though tourist
receipts help maintain hard currency liquidity. During 2001-2002,
businesses reported hard currency shortages and difficulty
obtaining dollars at banks. Large fiscal deficits financed by
Maldives Monetary Authority posed a potential threat to the fixed
exchange rate system, and so the Government took steps to achieve
fiscal consolidation during 2003. The fiscal deficit was 4.6
percent of GDP and 3.6 percent of GDP in 2003 and 2004
respectively. The deficit was financed mainly through foreign
grants and loans. Public debt, which was 46.5 percent of GDP in
2003, decreased to 38.5 percent in 2004. Debt servicing has been
manageable, since most external borrowing is contracted on
concessional terms. Due to tsunami related expenditure, the
budget deficit is estimated to increase sharply during 2005-2006.

The deficit will be financed through foreign grants and loans and
domestic borrowing. World Bank and the ADB are expected to
provide budget support following an IMF review in March 2006.


24. To enable more comprehensive and up-to-date control over
public expenditures, initial actions have been taken to introduce
a new public accounting system. The Parliament is expected to
pass a new Public Accounting bill in early 2006. Additional draft
bills have been prepared, including a public finance bill and
amendments to the Audit Bill. However, there has been a delay in
their submission to the People's Majlis legislative body.
Instead, several Presidential decrees have been issued on these
subjects. The Government has also taken steps to expand the tax
base and is planning to enact a business profit tax and a property
rental value tax. Foreign reserves at end of October 2005 were
$199 million, only slightly lower than end 2004 reserves of $205
million, and were sufficient to finance 3.3 months of imports.

EXPROPRIATION AND COMPENSATION
--------------


25. According to the Law on Foreign Investment (25/79) the
Government may, with or without any given notice, suspend an
investment, either where the investor indulges in an act
detrimental to the security of the country or where temporary
closure is necessary in the interest of national security. If
after due investigation, it cannot be concluded within 60 days of
the temporary closure that the foreign investor had indulged in an
activity detrimental to the security of Maldives, then the
Government will pay compensation. Capital belonging to an
investment that is closed for the above reasons may be taken out
of the country in a mutually agreed manner. There does not appear
to be any risk of expropriation in the near future.

DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
--------------


26. The sources of law in Maldives are its constitution, Islamic
Sharia law, international law, and English common law, with the
latter being more influential in some areas, such as commercial
law. In November 2005, the government announced the creation of
a 10-member judicial services commission, led by the chief
justice, responsible for appointing, dismissing, and examining the
conduct of all judges. The commission recommends a group of
candidates for judgeships to the President. While the President
will then choose from the list of candidates, the commission
maintains the right to accept his choice or veto the President's
selection. There is a High Court in Male' as well as lesser
courts (the number to be determined by the President) in Male' and
on other islands. There are no jury trials. The High Court
serves as court of appeal and also handles any politically
sensitive cases. There are also eight lower courts in Male'
dealing with theft, debt and property cases.


27. Ultimate appeal lies with the President. In this process,
the President is briefed by an advisory board which goes through
the appeal and recommends that the President affirm or vary the
decision of the High Court. Under a November 2005 Presidential
decree, this advisory board was given substantial independence
within the confines of the constitution. This arrangement is an
interim one until the constitutional changes -- which could
establish an independent supreme court.


28. Though the legal practices are adequate, the judicial process
is slow. The law on foreign investments guarantees the security
of investments. Disputes involving investments below $1 million
can be referred to the courts in Maldives. Disputes over $1
million can be referred for international arbitration.


29. Recognizing that the existing legal and commercial framework
is underdeveloped and not always fully transparent or predictable,
the government is promoting administrative reforms and formulating
regulations dealing with labor, the environment and industry. In
recent years, the People's Majlis has enacted a number of
commercial laws, including the law of contract, the Negotiable
Instruments of Law, and the Companies Act, and amended the tourism
law to conditionally extend the 25-year resort lease period to 50
years. Maldives is not a member of the International Center for

the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

RIGHT TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHMENT
--------------


30. There is little private ownership of land. Land reform
currently under consideration may result in more trade and private
ownership of property. Foreign investors are not allowed to own
land, but are granted lease rights ranging up to 25 years, which
can be later extended to 35 years for investments over $10
million, or 50 years if 50 percent of the company's shares are
floated on the Maldives trading floor. Leases can be renewed at
the end of their terms, but the formula for assessing compensation
value of a resort at the end of a lease has not yet been
developed. The Cabinet has agreed to extend the initial lease
period from 25 years to 99 years. Relevant legislation is
expected to be presented to Parliament by mid-2006.

PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS
--------------


31. Maldives lacks specific legislation to protect intellectual
property rights (IPR) and has not signed on to international
agreements and conventions. Maldives stands to benefit from the
recent WTO decision to extend the transition period for least-
developed countries (LDC) to provide protection for intellectual
property under Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) agreement until July 1, 2013, unless it graduates
from being an LDC. The transition period was due to expire on
January 1, 2006. Consumers of computer software reportedly
appreciate the value of genuine products, as pirated software
programs often contain bugs and viruses.

EFFICIENT CAPITAL MARKETS AND PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT
--------------


32. The financial sector in Maldives is very narrow and dominated
by the banking sector. The banking sector consists of one
publicly owned commercial bank -- the Bank of Maldives -- and
branches of four foreign-owned commercial banks. HSBC, the only
global bank present, set up operations in 2002. Non-bank
financial institutions in the country consist of two insurance
companies, a provident fund and a finance leasing company. All
financial institutions currently operate under the supervision of
Maldives Monetary Authority, which acts as the Central Bank.


33. Local sources of finance are limited in scope because of the
small size of the capital market and the lack of instruments that
are available in more developed nations. No financial instruments
are offered to the public. The commercial banks provide short-
and long-term credit to the private sector. No specialized
financial institution exists to meet the investment needs of
tourism, agriculture and fisheries. Non-performing loans are
about 6 percent and the risk-weighted capital adequacy ratio is
high. Most foreign currency loans are made to foreign currency-
earning tourist enterprises. The Maldives Monetary Authority has
introduced an emergency liquidity facility for commercial banks.
Banking supervision has been recently upgraded, moving toward
international best practices.


34. The development of a stock market has been a policy objective
of the Government of Maldives since the late 1990s and has been
integrated in consecutive National Development Plans. As there is
currently no organized capital market in Maldives, the Capital
Market Development Section (CMDS) of the MMA is working towards
creating the institutional mechanism to facilitate an organized
market for raising capital required by the economy. A proposed
Securities Bill would make provisions for the establishment of a
regulatory framework for the capital market, the proposed capital
market institutions and the licensing of financial intermediaries
for the purpose of developing and regulating a capital market in
Maldives. A small trading floor opened in Male' in April 2002
within the capital development department of the MMA. At present,
the only investment opportunity available to the public is a
limited number of shares in the Bank of Maldives and two other
state-owned public companies - Maldives Transport and Contracting
Company (MTCC) and the State Trading Organization (STO). There
are plans to expand into the islands, and the MMA is conducting an

investor eduction program. There are hopes that the stock
exhange will facilitate the development of a capitalmarket. A
leasing company, Maldives Finance Leaing Company (Pvt) Ltd
(MFLC),was established in May 2002 as a collaborative venture
between five domestic public and private sector entities and two
international parties including the World Bank's International
Finance Corporation (IFC). The MFLC aims to address the demand
for long-term equipment financing from all sectors of the economy.
The Asian Development Bank will support strengthening the
financial sector to more effectively mobilize savings and fund
long-term development.


35. The Housing Development Finance Corporation is a government
company designed to provide public housing loans with long
repayment terms at favorable interest rates. The Company is also
entrusted with drawing up the policy that plans and facilitates
the use of land as an asset in Maldives, and to bring the
necessary changes and the subsequent development of economic and
financial mechanisms in the country, to incorporate this policy.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE
--------------


36. Maldives has a homogeneous society of one culture, one
religion and one language. The current President has been in
office since 1979. In 2004, the Government initiated a process of
constitutional reforms to address calls for change and democracy.
A Special Majilis (a special parliament separate from the People's
Majlis) was established in May 2004 specifically to consider
proposed amendments to the constitution. Parliamentary elections
in January 2005 saw some reformists entering Parliament. In 2004
the President presented detailed proposals for constitutional
reform to the Parliament. In June of 2005, Parliament legally
recognized political parties. Reformists complained that reform
programs were slow and insufficient. Opposition groups held
demonstrations to demand further reforms and request the release
of political prisoners in August and November 2005 and January

2006. The demonstrations remained largely peaceful, although
after the first such protest in August, several people were
arrested and parliament was temporarily suspended. The arrested
demonstrators were later released without charge. Several reform
bills are due to come before Parliament in February 2006.

CORRUPTION
--------------


37. In 2002, Parliament passed a bill on the prevention and
punishment of corruption. The provisions of the law cover
definitions of bribery and improper pecuniary advantage and
prescribe punishments. The law also outlines procedures for the
confiscation of property and funds obtained through commission of
the included offenses. It broadens the mandate of the Anti-
Corruption Board, which previously extended only to government
employees, to investigate corruption in the private sector.


OPIC AND OTHER INSURANCE PROGRAMS
--------------


38. Currently, OPIC does not operate in Maldives. Maldives is
also not a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
of the World Bank Group.

LABOR
--------------


39. Skilled and unskilled labor can be scarce, and expatriate
labor is allowed in order to meet shortages. There are an
estimated 33,800 expatriate workers, mostly in tourism,
construction, and social and personal services. Expatriate labor
is equal to or more expensive than local labor. While salaries
are lower, travel and other benefits typically make expatriate
overall costs higher.


40. Wages in the private sector are usually set by contract
between employer and employee and are generally based on rates for
similar work in the public sector. Employment contracts usually
specify work hours on a weekly or monthly basis. Employees are

usually authorized 20 days of annual leave, 30 days of medical
leave, 45 days of maternity leave, and 10 days of special annual
leave for "extraordinary circumstances." There are no laws
governing health and safety conditions; however, there are
regulatory requirements that employers provide a safe working
environment and ensure the observance of safety measures.


41. Maldives is not a member of the International Labor
Organization. Although unions are not expressly prohibited, the
Government does not recognize the right to form unions or the
right to strike. Hence, labor actions and disputes are rare. The
US Government in 1995 suspended Maldives' eligibility for tariff
preferences under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
because the Government failed to take steps to afford
internationally recognized worker rights to Maldivian workers.
The Government has drafted new labor laws dealing with rights of
association, the right to organize, and acceptable conditions of
work, and has promised to pass them into law. The US Government
has offered technical assistance to review the draft legislation.


42. Foreign Investment: US firms represented in Maldives include
Western Union, FedEx, UPS, Hewlett Packard (HP),Dell, Compaq,
Coca-Cola, American Express, Hilton Resorts, SeaTec, Ernst and
Young, Price Waterhouse Coopers and KPMG.
LUNSTEAD