Between government optimism and World Bank warnings: dissecting the 2026 budget - Maldives Independent
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Between government optimism and World Bank warnings: dissecting the 2026 budget - Maldives Independent
Summary:
- The Maldives' 2026 budget report centers political blame on previous governments for debt and macroeconomic stress, with Finance Minister Moosa Zameer arguing for inherited fiscal mismanagement and debt distress warnings from IMF/World Bank at the time President Muizzu took office in 2023.
- The budget acknowledges high debt distress risk and forecasts that by 2026 about 70% of government revenue could be needed for debt service. It emphasizes debt sustainability
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