Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Maldives Government has earned over MVR 99 million in Green Tax for the month of January 2024, reports the Ministry of Finance. According to the ministry’s Green Fund Report, the government collected MVR 99.6 million in total for the review month. Green Tax by Tourism Segments Resorts – MVR 89.1 million Hotels – MVR 1.79 million Guesthouses – MVR 6.17 million Liveaboards/Vessels – MVR 2.53 million Homestay – MVR 11,832.60 For now, only small scale projects have been carried out from the Green Fund revenue. The total expenditure for said projects stood at MVR 138,907.80.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Monday, April 08, 2024, announced this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr falls on April 10, 2024, the coming Wednesday. Eid-ul-Fitr is the festive Islamic holidays in the month of Islamic calendar month Shawwal, which follows immediately after the holy month of Ramadan. The ministry said the moon was not visible during Monday’s eve to declare Eid-ul-Fitr for Tuesday, and therefore, Ramadan will have 30 days this year. The Islamic Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar which is based on the monthly cycles of the moon’s phases. Meanwhile, Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called for a grander…

Maldivian, the national carrier of the island nation, reports additional flights to popular domestic routes owing to demand. According to the carrier, it has upgraded GAN flight to the airline’s A320 aircraft to accommodate the travel needs. The flight is scheduled on April 12, 2024 departing from Male’ to Gan at 19:30hrs and return flight on 21:40hrs. Besides this, Maldivian has added an additional flight for Ifuru for the same date as well, with departure from Male’ at 18:20hrs and arrival at 19:30hrs. Maldivian also added one more flight for Male’-Madivaru route on April 12, with departure from Male’ on…

Patina Maldives, the only Maldivian property to make it to The Luxury Travel Advisor’s annual contest, has made it to the final round. The contest now has only two properties vying for the coveted ‘Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World’. Patina Maldives is the southern hemisphere rounds’ winner and will be facing off against Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets in Mexico, the western hemisphere rounds’ winner. The luxury hotel in North Male’ Atoll was the only Maldivian property picked as one of the 64 hotels across the world in the bracket-style tournament.

Ministry of Defense has announced multiple vacancies for Aviation Security Command. The ministry announced seeking 55 security officers under Aviation Security, with eligible applicants required to submit their job forms by April 18, 2024. Remuneration Details Basic Salary: MVR 5,920 Service Allowance: MVR 1,500 Food Allowance: MVR 60 (based on duty attendance) Special Duty Allowance: 35% of Basic Salary Phone Allowance: MVR 150 Academic and Professional Qualifications Minimum of two C grades in GCE O’Level; and Minimum of C pass in Dhivehi in SSC Examination; or Completion of a relevant MNQF Level 3 certificate Other Prerequisites Applicants should be aged…

Bank of Maldives (BML) reports best-ever performance in 2023 with a Profit After Tax (PAT) of MVR 2.07 billion. The bank’s Board of Directors has recommended the highest-ever dividend payout of MVR 50 per share, which would be approved at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). BML CEO and Managing Director, Karl Stumke said, “I am pleased to report this record performance for the Bank, which also marks the first time the Bank has crossed MVR 2 billion. As a result of our performance, the Board has proposed a total dividend payout of MVR 269 million which is the highest…

Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives is set to launch a new domestic flight under the South Connectivity Initiative. Under this initiative, Maldivian will operate flights connecting Gan International Airport (GAN) in Addu atoll and Kooddoo Airport (GKK) in Huvadhoo atoll, twice weekly starting from October 29, 2024. The South Connectivity is an initiative led by the Maldives government in collaboration with the national airline, Addu International Airport, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and the Ministry of Tourism. The aim of the initiative is to deliver enhanced tourism connectivity and commercial…

The Maldives government has settled MVR 871 million in loan repayments within the last three months, the ruling party’s campaign spokesperson Heena Waleed said on Tuesday. According to the spokesperson, the current government inherited a total of MVR 318 million in outstanding loans from the previous administration. She added that the current state has already spent MVR 1.1 billion on Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP). While highlighting several projects commenced during the previous administration lacked proper planning and foresight, Heena said that majority of these projects have been interrupted. Heena however, affirmed the current government was working on restarting the…

World Bank has revised and reduced the economic growth project for the Maldives in light of new data. The bank in its South Asian Development Update (SADU) highlighted tourists visiting Maldives are now opting more for lower-cost guesthouses instead of luxury and expensive resorts. Although tourism industry businesses report tourist arrival increment, they have observed the shift in traveler trend as guests opt cheaper tourism accommodations; especially post the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. World Bank also projected an output growth of 4.7% for the Maldives, a reduction from the previous 5.2%. The bank further said the economic condition became prevalent…

Local vendors report the prices of watermelon and coconut have shot up in the local market. According to vendors and sellers focusing on perishables, watermelon is now sold at MVR 30 per kilogram, coconuts are sold at MVR 70 per piece. Smaller coconuts are sold at MVR 35 per piece. Additionally, prepared coconut drinks are now sold at MVR 180 per bottle. The prices of these items have increased owing to their scarcity in the local market, since watermelon was previously sold at MVR 18 per kilogram. Moreover, vendors further inform the lack of availability of fresh watermelon from Alifu…