Maldives hails S'pore HC ruling, says GMR staff can stay on

The Singapore high court that granted a stay order favouring GMR Infra regarding the Male airpot case, today lifted it which dented GMR's prospects and bolstered Maldives case.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Masood Imad, media secretary at President's Office Male, Maldives says, the Singapore Court of Appeal has ruled that the Maldives government has the authority to take back the airport from GMR under the agreement signed by GMR and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

"Especially now after this ruling from the court, I believe GMR will be more positive and responsive to us," he added.

Below is the edited transcript of his interview on CNBC-TV18.

Q: Can you run us through what the Supreme Court’s order has been. It has grated you relief in this case?

A: The Singapore Court of Appeal has ruled that the Maldives government has the authority to take back the airport from GMR under the agreement signed by GMR and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). We are discussing with GMR on the possible smooth transition of management and it will go as schedule and on Friday midnight MACL will takeover the management.

Q: The transition is going to take place on 8th December. Are you in touch with GMR and are they agreeing to this?

A: Especially now after this ruling from the court, I believe GMR will be more positive and more responsive to us.

Q: Who will run the airport post 8th December? Is it the Maldives government which will be in charge? Also there was an issue about what is going to happen to the GMR employees. Has that being worked out as well?

A: I want to assure that all GMR employees who wish to stay on and continue performing in their present capacity has the opportunity to do so, if they wish to. We shall not witch-hunt. All GMR staff who wants to stay can stay.

Q: What is the plan for the airport post the transition? Is the Maldives government going to run the airport or would you look at another bidding process, another tender maybe?

A: At the moment we do not have any plans to tender or re-tender the bid. Maldivian government has a company called Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), they will takeover the management. They were the company that was managing the airport before this and they will continue to do so.

Q: This order has come from the Singapore High Court or the Supreme Court that has been granted to you?

A: The order has come from the Court of Appeal in Singapore which is equivalent to Supreme Court in India or in Maldives. That’s the highest court in Singapore.