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Sponsors & Partners 2021
Benelux-Maldives Friendship Society
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IT'S THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE Official song of #Matato #Maldives #Travel Awards 2015Sunny Side Of Life
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BUSINESS
The Maldives, depends heavily on trade. Foreign trade represents 146% of the GDP (World Bank, 2018). The state budget relies primarily on revenues from import duties. Therefore, tariffs are relatively high (the average applied tariff rate is 21.1%).
However, as part of its trade policy, the government has removed quotas for the majority of products, and customs procedures have been simplified. Fish products account for almost the entirety of Maldivian exports, while imports are led by hydrocarbons, electrical equipment, and aeroplanes.
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TOURISM
Tourism in the Maldives has started in 1972 with only three hotels, now – there are more than 100 operational resorts. The unique condition of Maldives is that one island is one resort, meaning that one hotel occupies the whole island. By doing so, resorts provide more privacy and more luxury for their visitors. The Maldives are also trying to stay eco-friendly and use more of solar energy rather than diesel. The Maldives provide facilities and services, entertainment and telecommunication services, they also provide numerous resorts, hotels, guest houses, and liveboards
CULTURE
Being an island nation, Maldives' culture is based on the island lifestyle and revolves around the sea. The culture of Maldives is influenced by the cultures of the Indians, Africans, Arabs and the Sri Lankans. Maldivians have assimilated parts of all these and built a culture that is unique. One can still find Dravidian influences on many aspects of the lifestyle of Maldives even today. As a result of this melange, although one can see similarities and link it back to other cultures, the Maldivian culture has emerged as its own unique identity
something which all Maldivians are proud of.
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