President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established the Dhiveheenge Resort Hihsaa Corporation (DRHC) under Presidential Decree No. 19/2026. The wholly government-owned company was created under Section 15 of the Companies Act (Act No. 7/2023).
DRHC is tasked with developing and operating international-standard resorts and other tourism assets. It will focus on maximising the value of state-owned lagoons, uninhabited islands and natural resources while building a long-term investment portfolio.
The corporation must prioritise environmental protection and renewable energy. It is also required to create employment and technical training opportunities for Maldivians, increase foreign currency earnings, and partner with domestic and international investors.
The government plans to develop at least 10 resorts through DRHC over the next three years. A significant portion of the profits from these resorts is to be distributed equally among all Maldivian citizens each year in foreign currency, deposited directly into their bank accounts.
President Muizzu first announced the initiative during his 2026 Presidential Address. He stated that legislation would be introduced to make every Maldivian citizen a shareholder in the resorts developed under the scheme. Preliminary estimates suggested each citizen could receive at least USD 400 annually once the resorts are operational, with payments expected from 2030.
In September, the President said 10 islands had already been designated for the project. The initiative aims to ensure tourism benefits reach individual citizens directly rather than remaining concentrated among a smaller group of stakeholders.
The establishment of DRHC marks a concrete step toward implementing that policy. The company is fully owned by the government and will operate within the existing legal framework governing tourism development in the Maldives.
Details on the specific islands selected, the exact profit-sharing formula, and the timeline for the first resorts have not yet been released. The President's Office has described the corporation as a mechanism to sustainably expand the tourism industry while distributing its economic returns more equitably.
