Author: Mohamed Reehaan
The total exported goods from the Maldives increased by 51% in March 2023, reported the Maldives Customs Service. The authority revealed in their most recent statistics, that Maldives exported MVR344 million worth of goods in March. Imported goods, including fuel, increased by 10% which is MVR4.3 billion. On the other hand, imported goods, excluding fuel, increased by 14% which is MVR3.6 billion. Major Importing Categories Food items (excluding pork, alcohol, tobacco): MVR924 million Fuel (marine gas oil (diesel), petrol, aviation gas): MVR706 million Machinery and mechanical appliance: MVR596 million Vessels, aircraft and parts thereof: MVR435 million Base metal and articles…
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has ordered all entities operating staple food warehouses to register them. According to the authority all warehouses storing staple food items must register with MFDA before 01st August 2023. MFDA has demanded registering such warehouses with them in order to enhance regulatory standards of staple foods, and ensure its safety. The authority has continued to monitor and regulate importation of staple foods in the Maldives. However, MFDA has ordered warehouses to register with the authority in accordance with the policy of safe storage, management, and transportation of foods. Moreover, registration of the warehouses…
The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has raised concerns about old vessels berthed in Hulhumale’ lagoon drifting from their anchored location. The association notified the issue has been already brought to the attention of relevant authorities including Urbanco, Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. The old vessels had drifted from their originally berthed location and were scraping against other docked boats in the lagoon. NBAM further said that the vessels remain unmanned. Photos of these vessels show that the boats are in rundown condition and have collected rust. There are four such vessels inside…
Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) announced it will procure 2 million bin liners to sell at affordable prices to general consumers. According to the corporation, this decision was taken to address the rising prices of plastic bags following the amendment to the Waste Management Act. Meanwhile, many have criticized the move as they are required to pay the fee for each time they bought plastic bags for garbage disposals. WAMCO will purchase the bags from Leesa Maldives, the only local company to produce plastic bags and bin liners. The Managing Director at WAMCO, Yoosuf Siraj said that the corporation will commission…
The Maldives Coral Institute (MCI) will host its “Coral Festival 2023” in Addu City Hithadhoo from April 28 to 30. The festival, which aims to celebrate the Maldives’ coral reefs and marine ecosystems, brings together scientists, NGOs, politicians, environmentalists, and even members of the public. The event is held in partnership with Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels, a major hotel brand with businesses practices in Addu atoll. Moreover, Kaimoo will provide food and accommodation at the Addu Equator Village resort. MCI said that the three-day event will feature local and international scientists and marine exports who will discuss and hold workshops…
The State Electric Company (STELCO) said that Greater Male’ area recorded the highest electricity consumption on 11th April 2023. STELCO Managing Director Ahmed Shareef tweeted that the islands of Male’, Vilimale’, and Hulhumale’ consumed more than 92.5 megawatts of electricity on the date. Shareef further claimed that the consumption rate is expected to increase in the coming weeks. The Maldives is currently experiencing its hottest period of the year, which usually falls on April-May. Meanwhile, STELCO has advised customers to conserve electricity. “Although STELCO has the capacity to produce 120 megawatts of electricity, we advise everyone to economize its usage,”…
Urbanco, the former Housing Development Corporation, has denied the authenticity of a list currently circulating on social media claiming 34 housing flats in Hulhumale’ were given to members of its top management. The issue was brought to attention after an alleged memo circulated on social media purporting to offer housing flats from privately built mixed residential units in Hulhumale’ for sale to Urbanco top brass which included board members, directors, and managers. The company denied the list claiming it was baseless and doctored. Meanwhile, Urbanco said that some mixed residential units were opened for sale last year under its Staff…
Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm said the investor demand for the Maldives has been on the rise in light of surging tourist arrival numbers. CBRE has said that the destination’s demand among global investors were rising since the Maldives amended its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in 2020. It further said that the country is identified as a top-tier tourism destination with potentially strong returns on investments in the hospitality industry. The firm also noted that Maldives was the fastest in tourism industry recovery after the Covid-19 global pandemic which…
Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has reported exchange of fake US Dollars to local authorities. The central bank has said that certain parties have been advertising the exchange of counterfeited dollar bills, which has been brought to the attention of Maldives Police Service. MMA’s media official Mohamed Nazih said that several social media pages were promoting the exchange of these counterfeit bills, with a case already lodged before Eid-ul-Fitr. Reports claim that these counterfeit bills, all USD 100 denominations, have been produced in North Korea. Pages that are promoting these fake bills claim that the counterfeit currency can be deposited to…
The State Electric Company (STELCO) has requested its customers to economize usage of electricty. The utility provider urged efficiency in power usage amid the ongoing hot season in the Maldives, which often drives up electricity consumption throughout the country. Meanwhile, Maldives Meteorological Center (MET) has announced that Greater Male’ area will experience heat up to 39 degrees Celsius while Kadhdhoo and Hanimaadhoo will experience up to 40 degrees Celsius. The weather authority further said that slower wind speeds coupled with higher humidity has driven up the temperatures. STELCO Managing Director Ahmed Shareef, via Twitter, has advised consumers to take caution…