Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) on Friday, January 26, 2024 announced the appointment of Ahmed Nasif as the new Chairman of the Board. He is the former the Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Greater Male’ Industrial Zone Limited (GMIZL), and ThilafushiCorp. He is also the President of the Maldives Pool Billiard Association. RACL on X, confirming Nasif’s appointment said the new Chairman would bring his “exceptional leadership skills and strategic mindset” to the company.

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has announced the appointment of Aminath Suzan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the organization on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Suzan was the former Managing Director of Hotels and Resort Construction Pvt Ltd, and holds the distinction of being the first female Executive Board member of the Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI). She was also an Executive Board member of National Federation of Maldivian Employers (NFME). Her career began in the banking sector, where she served as the face of Premier Banking in HSBC Maldives for 7…

The Managing Director of State Electric Company (STELCO) Hussain Fahmy has assured provision of electricity in five new islands in 2024 via battery-powered electricity. This announcement comes following the new Managing Director’s ambition on steering STELCO as a leader of renewable energy provider in the Maldives. Since taking charge, STELCO’s MD has been making significant improvements to the structure and operations of the utility provider. Earlier, the company signed on with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to relocate STELCO’s Fuel Pump Station. The project involves demolition of the existing station.

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) reports clearing 1,795 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) between January 12 to January 18, 2024. During the review period, a total of 769 20-footers and 513 40-footers were cleared by MPL. In its most recent update, MPL revealed handling 05 container vessels during the review period, and another 90 general/perishable cargo vessels. As per statistics, MPL handled the loading and unloading of 3,507 TEUs, which is 2,548 containers. Besides this, MPL shifted 1,448 TEUs which is equivalent to 1,040 containers.

Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, provided the most recent update of Hanimaadhoo International Airport project’s progress. RACL reports installation of runway lights is currently ongoing, aligning with the schedule for the operation of the completed 1,200 meters of the new runway. Additionally, RACL said it was anticipating a test flight landing on Sunday next week, January 28, 2024. Earlier on Monday, January 22, 2024, the country’s national airline Maldivian, participated in the technical inspection of the new runway of the airport to assess the tarmac’s condition.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has provided modern medical beds to Kaafu atoll Guraidhoo Center. The facility falls under the purview of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. An official ceremony was hosted at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 for the official handover. Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed personally delivered and handed over the beds, which was received by the Minister of Social and Family Development Dr. Aishath Shiham.

SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) on Monday, January 22, 2024 announced the appointment of its new Managing Director. SDFC announced the appointment of Ms. Aishath Fifsheen Ali as the new Managing Director, and subsequently appointed to the board as the company’s Executive Director as well. Among the notable responsibilities she fulfilled previously include the Head of Channel Management at the Bank of Maldives (BML).

As per the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals have reached 128,548 as of January 21, 2024. The arrival figure is 11.6% above the same period in 2023, during which arrivals stood at 89,369. The current daily arrival average is 6,121 while the average duration of stay is 8.0 days. The Maldives is currently experiencing the high-season in tourism, which experiences an exponential growth in the influx of visitors. Top 10 Markets – 2024 Russia: 14,495 Italy: 13,965 UK: 10,689 China: 10,113 India: 9,744 Germany: 8,013 USA: 4,857 France: 4,471 Poland: 3,685 Kazakhstan: 2,717 India which usually…

The largest telecommunication provider in the Maldives, Dhiraagu has shown the grand prize of its #taslaafatesla promotion; a Tesla Model-2. Customers with Dhiraagu Postpaid 450 plan and above or Fiber Broadband 30M plan or above are eligible to enroll in the promotion. Those who are on other plans can upgrade to any of the plans that grant them eligibility in order to enroll in the giveaway. The deadline for this special promotion is January 31, 2024, and customers can upgrade their postpaid or Fiber Broadband plan at any time before the due to become eligible.

The cumulative total of state expenditure has reached MVR 524.0 million as of January 11, 2024, reported the Ministry of Finance. As per the ministry’s most recent Weekly Fiscal Development, the revenues inclusive of grants stood at MVR 390.3 million at the review date’s time. Which means the overall balance for the period is MVR 133.7 million, a 31.1% drop from the same period in 2023. The state generated MVR 275.5 million out of the current cumulative total in tax revenues, and MVR 114.8 million in non-tax revenues. The cumulative total of tax revenues in 2023 for the same period…