Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Banyan Tree Group Maldives announces that all three of its properties, namely the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Dhawa Ihuru, and Angsana Velavaru are recipients of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award 2023. The Travellers’ Choice Award, a much coveted recognition, honors businesses that constantly receive outstanding feedback and reviews from travelers worldwide for the past 12 months, making them part of the top 10% of all listings in the platform globally. “This brings us joy to share that since 2018, all three resorts have received this esteemed recognition. We would not have achieved it without the love and support of our guests.…

In a bid to support local small and medium enterprises, the World Bank has extended a grant of USD 67.8 million (approximately MVR 1 billion) to the Maldivian government. The financing agreement was signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer on behalf of the Maldivian government, and by the World Bank Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris H. Hadad-Zervos on behalf of the bank, during a ceremony held at the ministry’s office. A total of two distinct agreements were signed under the financing arrangement. The first aid worth USD 53 million (MVR 814 million) was extended…

If you are among the movers and shakers of the entrepreneurial world, or if you have just started your own business free from the shackles of people who will boss you around, then you must have come a long and hard way to reach where you are. This means that you are now looking ahead to present your company in its best capacity for the world to see, and it includes everything noted down to the T with regards to your corporate image. So what happens when you flash out your business card and under the part where your business…

Allied Insurance Company has opened opportunities to apply for its Community Fund and Education Fund. The funds were introduced under Allied’s “Premium for Good” initiative. The Community Fund was developed to provide financial support to local organizations and associations towards community empowerment projects. The fund will support said organizations and associations in six major fields which include health, social service, environmental protection, women and children’s rights, education and history. The strongest insurance service provider in the Maldives noted that application window is open until 15th August. The four best proposals will receive MVR 50,000 in financial support. Allied’s Education Fund…

The first Maldivian ‘Internet Governance Forum’ has concluded successfully. The two-day forum was held on 16th and 17th June 2023, and was held in a total of 13 different sessions. The event saw participation of various organizations, telecom service providers, academic institutions, technological and legal firms, local councils, youth, and several corporate and private businesses. The attendees had chimed in their opinions and perspectives on improving internet governance in the Maldives. The forum was officiated by the Chief Judicial Administrator Al-Ustada Aishath Rizna. In her opening speech, Rizna highlighted the importance of reducing disparity in internet usage. She also urged…

The Maldivian government has once again opened its Embassy in the United States of America (USA). The embassy was opened in the US Capital, Washington D.C. The inauguration ceremony for the new embassy in Washington D.C. on Friday, June 16 was officiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. The minister was joined by the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the US Department of State, Donald Lu. While speaking at the ceremony, Lu said that the establishment of the Maldives embassy in the US is indicative of the States’ efforts to strengthen its…

Urbanco has signed on as the title sponsor for the 11th edition of the Living Expo. The Hulhumale’ management corporation signed on with the event’s organizer HighRise Maldives earlier, and was announced that the event is scheduled for 10th to 12th August 2023. The 2023 Living Expo will be held at Central Park, Hulhumale’; which is a popular venue for large-scale expos. Launched first in 2013, HighRise Maldives-powered Living Expo is the first comprehensive event focusing on real estate and housing initiatives, projects, products and latest offers. The event attracts notable contractors, construction companies and groups, real estate developers and…

After an eight-year hiatus, the first Inter-School Singing Competition was announced by the Public Service Media (PSM). Recently, PSM announced that telecom and internet service provider Dhiraagu has partnered with the state media to launch the singing competition. A total of 32 schools will present 270 students under six different age categories in the 2023 event. Schools from Greater Male’ region and other atolls will take part. Speaking about the partnership, the Assistant Manager, Brand, Naya Shareef said that it was a great joy for Dhiraagu to be partnering up with PSM to bring the first inter-school singing competition after…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined Bunny Holdings (BVI) Limited; one of the entities that make up the Soneva brand, for initiating coral propagation and restoration in Soneva Fushi without prior Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EPA has said that it has verified the initiative was launched without conducting the EIA. The authority said they confirmed this based on the communication and documents exchanged between it and Soneva Fushi. Under the Penalty and Liability Regulation of EPA, BVI was fined with MVR 20,000 on Monday, last week. EPA demanded the hotelier company to pay the fine within 30 days from…

The Maldives government announced significant progress made towards facilitating visa-free travel for Maldivians to European Union (EU) states. The announcement was made in a joint statement issued following the fourth session of meetings between EU’s senior officials and the Maldivian government. As per the statement, the discussions between the parties focused on the island nation’s request for visa-free travel for Maldivian locals in visiting Eu member states. The statement also highlighted that the request will be considered during the next visa list review among the 26 European member states. However, the specific date for the review was not disclosed. Maldivians…