Speaking on the government policies in the Community Cabinet meeting held in Addu City today, President Mohamed Nasheed has announced that the government would prioritise increasing employment opportunities in the later half of his term in office.

Discussions at the first ever Community Cabinet meeting were focused on four main areas: social sector, infrastructure, good governance and economic development. Cabinet ministers made presentations on the four broad areas discussed today.

Presentation on social sector highlighted the government’s policies on health, education, social protection, youth, sports and human resource development.

Presentation on infrastructure development outlined policies on housing, harbour and road construction, shore protection, water and sewerage, energy and preparations for the SAARC Summit.

On good governance, discussions were focused on decentralization and illegal drugs and crime prevention.

Presentations and consequent discussions on economic policies underscored transportation, tourism, lowering the cost of living, development of small and medium enterprises and commercial harbour development programme.

The President, the Vice President and relevant Cabinet ministers responded to queries from the general public after each presentation.

This is the first Community Cabinet meeting to be held after the Cabinet decided to hold Community Cabinet meetings in the islands in November 2010.

Wednesday, 11 May, marked the completion of two and half years of the five-year term of the President Nasheed’s government elected on 11 November 2008.