Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Business Center Corporation becomes the first Maldivian company to feature on oneGov; government-initiated cross-agency online service portal. The integration of BCC services were officiated by the corporation’s Managing Director Ibrahim Ziyau during a special launch event held at TradeNet on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. While launching BCC services on oneGov, Ziyau said this integration will benefit the public, with home-based food producers given initial priority. He said the rest of the services to oneGov will follow soon. With the introduction of the ‘Home-Based Food Producer’, the service can now be used by individuals or registered businesses active in home-based food…

State Electric Company (STELCO) installs new generator set in Vaavu atoll Fulidhoo. As part of the utility provider’s efforts to enhance electricity service across Maldives; assuring uninterrupted power especially during Ramadan, STELCO brought in a new 300 kilowatt generator set to the island. Confirming via X on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, STELCO said it has already transported and commissioned the generator set on the island’s powerhouse.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, has fined the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure for a total of MVR 200,000. EPA fined the ministry for its violation in the Lhaviyani atoll Hinnavaru road development project; which breached the provisions detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. As per Article 20(a) of the EIA Regulation, as the entity responsible with contracting the project, the ministry is liable of the offense with the aforementioned fine. The ministry must settle this fine within 30 days from the date of EPA’s announcement, it added.

State Trading Organization (STO) has signed a term sheet agreement with Vitol, the Swiss-based Dutch energy and commodity trader, for the International Bunkering Project in Ihavandhippolhu. The signing took place on Wednesday morning, March 13, 2024, where the agreement was signed between STO Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim and Vitol’s Director Jay Ng. After the signing ceremony, STO Managing Director highlighted the exclusivity right extended to the organization to carry out bunkering activities in the Maldives, and added he was delighted to partner with Vitol. Shimad thanked Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the Economic Council he…

The political spat between India and the Maldives is still present; with the latter’s government never issuing an official apology for misconduct by some of its senior officials, when they made derogatory comments against the former’s Prime Minister. Since then, the two old allies have found heated exchange of words between them; both at state level and national level – meaning government officials and local citizens have exchanged their fair share of tirade on social media platforms. Indian celebrities and netizens alike launched their ‘Boycott Maldives’ campaign, while media outlets that include Mint, NDTV, TOI and others are quick to…

The Ministry of Tourism held a special press briefing post the ITB Berlin 2024. This year, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) under its Visit Maldives brand participated in the largest travel trade fair in the world, alongside 200 representatives from over 100 industry partners. At the sidelines of this year’s ITB Berlin, MMPRC hosted its “Maldives Media Meet” with a panel of speakers that included MMPRC Managing Director and CEO Fathimath Thaufeeq and the Chairperson of MMPRC Ayesha Nurain Janah. MMPRC focused on promoting the Maldives as a top-of-the-mind tourist destination at the ITB Berlin and increase the…

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said all outstanding dues to local fishers have been settled as of Friday, March 08, 2024. The new administration led by President Muizzu claimed it inherited a backlog of MVR 250 million in outstanding dues to local fishers when it took office in November 2023. Delays in disbursement of the outstanding dues sparked protests in February 2024. Dr. Muizzu promised this administration would clear the backlog before Ramadan. In a post on X on Sunday, President Muizzu said the backlog has been cleared as promised. He said, “With the disbursement today, fishermen have been paid…

Zakat House, run under the purview of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, has commenced accepting Zakat for the year. A statement from Zakat House said it began accepting Zakat, or the mandatory charity, extended by financially-able citizens effective from Monday, March 11, 2024 onward. To ensure ease for older citizens and those not familiar with technological applications, Zakat can be extended by visiting Islamic Center hall. For this year, the ministry has facilitated several online payment options for Zakat, which include; Dhiraagu App/ Dhiraagu Pay and SMS Ooredoo m-Faisaa and SMS Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB)’s Faisa app and FaisaNet Bank…

Maldives Customs Service reports clearing 78 tons of vegetables and fruits in one day. Customs reported that it had cleared the perishables shipment brought for Ramadan, under the direct instructions of the Commissioner General of Customs Yoosuf Maniu. The authority had facilitated clearance of these items on Friday, March 08, 2024 between 15:30hrs and 20:00hrs. High-demand vegetables and fruits including potato, banana, watermelon, tomato, papaya, cucumber, and mango among other items were cleared.

State Trading Organization (STO) announced it will begin distributing free staple foods to all local residences; part of the government’s promise for Ramadan this year. The largest state-owned enterprise (SOE) has already imported, stored and stocked sufficient staple foods towards the distribution plan under the government’s initiative. According to STO, it will be assisted by relevant government ministries, councils and other local organizations and associations in this endeavor. Male’ City Council will be monitoring and supervising the distribution of staple foods in Greater Male’ region. The distribution that began on Saturday, March 09, 2024 will continue until March 16, 2024…