On 10 April 2011, President Nasheed's Government announced a limited float of the currency within a band of 20% from the previous exchange rate of 12.85. Government's main intention was to lower the purchasing power thus reducing demand for dollar. For example, MVR 1 billion of imports will require USD 78 million at the rate of USD 12.85. But if the exchange rate is 15.42 then for MVR 1 billion of imports will require USD 65 million. Simple?
But the argument goes, vice versa, for example: China also, has the dollar under controlled rate, due to which their exports is quite cheap to Europe and the USA.
Source:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/09/chinas-peg-to-the-dollar.asp
However, since the Maldives doesn't play such a significant role in terms of exports to other countries or in such volumes, the Maldives government is not under so much pressure to have a controlled USD rate.
The point i am trying to make is that if the dollar rate was still USD 12.85, it would be cheaper for the majority of Maldivians to purchase the dollar for going abroad, purchasing goods from abroad, services, medical etc.
By raising the dollar from USD 12.85 to USD 15.42, the adverse impacts are:
1) Business men found it expensive to purchase the dollar with their rufiyaa which in terms will raise the prices indirectly.
2) People going abroad for medical and studies found it more expensive to purchase the dollar, which in turn leads to:
a) Higher rents in Male if they're landlords,
b) Higher fish prices, if they're fishermen,
c) Or higher prices of basic goods and services, if they're businessmen.
The point i am trying to make is, if you make the dollar expensive to purchase, this does have a adverse impact on the economy in the long term by raising the prices of goods and services in the long term.
Even if Nasheed did it, this was not a good economically feasible, decision, as it did not solve any problems, such as the shortage of dollar and it only made foreign imports more expensive for the average person generating income in MRF.
And also reducing the value of MRF. overall for the economy.
Any decision taken by the top government officials, should be done, after extensive studies, has been done for the feasibility of such decisions. By considering expert opinions in such matters.
So that the public or the common man doesn't suffer.