President Ratifies Land Transport Bill, Amendments to Fisheries, Tax Administration Act 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the second amendment to the Maldives Fisheries Act, the fourth amendment to the Tax Administration Act and a new Land Transport Bill.

All three were passed by the 20th People’s Majlis during its 28th sitting of the second session on Wednesday and were ratified at a ceremony held at the President’s Office today.

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Fisheries Act amendment

The second amendment to the Fisheries Act strengthens the regulatory and enforcement framework for fishing and aquaculture activities.

The amendment:

• Establishes provisions for developing and managing specialised fishing harbours, including facilities for recreational and sport fishing.
• Requires the relevant ministry to establish regulations governing recreational and sport fishing.
• Expands provisions for leasing areas for aquaculture and sets procedures for their allocation and use.
• Introduces measures to address the responsibilities of flag states when foreign fishing vessels are subjected to administrative action for illegal fishing in Maldivian waters.
• Revises the classification of fisheries offences and establishes procedures for determining penalties and fines.

The amendment also gives authorities 60 days from its commencement to revise existing regulations and introduce new rules and procedures needed to implement the changes.

The amendment has taken effect following its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.

Tax Administration Act amendment

The fourth amendment to the Tax Administration Act expands the administrative and enforcement powers of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Key changes include:

• Allowing the Commissioner General of Taxation to require parties holding information relevant to tax enforcement to provide it to MIRA.
• Introducing additional tax offences and penalties.
• Setting out factors MIRA must consider when determining tax liabilities.
• Establishing requirements and deadlines for filing tax returns.
• Allowing penalties to be settled through installment arrangements under prescribed rules.
• Strengthening provisions for joint tax examinations with foreign tax authorities.
• Introducing stronger provisions on Country-by-Country Reporting and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), including fines of up to MVR 250,000 for non-compliance with CRS requirements.
• Establishing a code of conduct for members of the Tax Appeal Tribunal and requiring publication of their financial statements in accordance with guidelines set by the Auditor General.
• Setting limitation periods for civil and criminal proceedings under the Act.

The amendment took effect following its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.

Land Transport Bill

The new Land Transport Act establishes a comprehensive legal framework for regulating land transport, covering vehicle registration, driving, parking, stopping, vehicle operators and public transport services.

Among its key provisions, the Act:

• Establishes rules and standards governing vehicles and their use.
• Introduces a regulatory framework for public transport services.
• Provides penalties and enforcement measures for violations.
• Designates the Greater Malé Area as a Registration and Traffic Management Controlled Zone to address transport challenges arising from high population density.
• Establishes a Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office for three years to coordinate and manage land transport services in the area.
• Establishes a National Road Safety Council to advise on road safety matters.
• Creates a dedicated fund for developing and modernising the country’s land transport system.

The Act also introduces a statutory lifespan limit for vehicles, restricting standard land vehicles to an operational life of 20 years from their date of manufacture. Certain vehicle categories may be exempted from the limit under regulations established by law.

The Land Transport Act will take effect 30 days after its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette. Once it comes into force, it will repeal the existing Land Transport Act of 2009 and the Maldives Pedestrian Act of 1978.