Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Government of India extends a financial assistance worth USD100 million to the Maldives, amid economic challenges the island nation face. At the handover ceremony, a symbolic cheque was handed by the Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar on behalf of the South-Asian ally to the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. This financial assistance will be provided through subscription in Maldives’ Government Domestic Treasury Bonds by State Bank of India (SBI), Maldives branch. Speaking at the event, Minister Shahid made emphasis on the effectiveness of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s far-sighted foreign policy in “building the trust and confidence in Maldives…

State revenues, inclusive of grants for October 2022 stood at MVR1,514.0 million (MVR1.5 billion), observing a 0.5% decline from the same month in 2021. Total expenditure for the review month declined by 4.1% compared to October of last year. Capital expenditure however, saw an increment of 16.7% while recurrent expenditure registered a 4.1% decline. The fiscal balance for the month of October 2022 gives an overall deficit of MVR1,352.9 million (MVR1.35 billion). Expenditure Composition Administrative and Operational Expenses: 42.2% Salaries, Wages and Pensions: 32.3% Infrastructure Assets: 21.2% Lending: 1.8% Development Projects and Investment Outlays: 1.7% Capital Equipment: 0.8% The cumulative…

According to Ministry of Finance, Green Tax collection reached MVR61.7 million in October 2022. The total Green Tax total for the month was recorded at MVR61,657,021, as per the recent statistics from the ministry. The tourist property composition of green tax collection include; Tourist properties (resorts, hotels and guesthouses): MVR60,029,890.32 (MVR60.0 million) Liveaboards/Vessels: MVR1,625,933.67 (MVR1.63 million) Homestays: MVR1,196.52 Top collections (from atolls); Kaafu Atoll: MVR21,911,566.07 (MVR21.9 million) Raa Atoll: MVR4,741,250.36 (MVR4.74 million) Alif Alif Atoll: MVR4,597,157.91 (MVR4.6 million) Alif Dhaal Atoll: MVR4,352,611.81 (MVR4.4 million) Gaaf Alif Atoll: MVR4,194,442.56 (MVR4.2 million)

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday, 27th November, convened the National Steering Committee of Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2022-2026 for its first meeting. The cabinet adopted the GEAP and constituted the steering committee earlier on 22nd February 2022. The steering committee was formed to provide oversight, guidance and direction and ensure implementation of the GEAP drawn up under the Gender Equality Act (Law No: 18/2016). The meeting was held at President’s Office. As the committee chair, President Solih inquired on the progress of implementing GEAP since adoption. Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services briefed the committee on…

Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives launched its inaugural Playshop Series in collaboration with Ministry of Education. The resort hosted students of Ahmadiyya International School, for an immersive education tour around the island. The tour’s objective was to provide insight for students keen to proceed with a career in hospitality. “It is pivotal that resorts contribute and invest in the future of the hospitality industry which is the main economic contributor of the nation, and one that will only be more important in the next ten years. It is our responsibility to shape young minds in a sustainable direction from the on-set,”…

Villa Educational Services Private Limited has been contracted to develop a school at Hulhumale’ specifically for students with special needs. Housing Development Corporation (HDC) signed with Villa for the development of the school on Sunday, 27th November. HDC’s Managing Director Ahmed Athif signed on behalf of the school, while Villa College’s Rector Ahmed Anwar signed on behalf of the academic institution. The special needs school will be developed in Hulhumale’ Phase I reportedly. A six-storey establishment, the school will provide accommodation for nearly 761 students. HDC confirms the school will include Grades 1 through 12, with basic facilities established as…

Public awareness test phase of the Raajje-Transport Link (RTL) service currently in central Lhaviyani atoll, has been extended. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) will not be charging customers for fare during the test runs. The atoll comes under phase two of the nationwide integrated public transport initiative. Lhaviyani atoll is the first atoll to have the ferry services commenced under the second phase, while under phase one the atolls of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani have already been covered. Test phase in Lhaviyani atoll commenced on 22nd November, Tuesday of last week. MTCC had previously confirmed test phase…

Mission for Migrant Workers Maldives (MMWM) continues its partnership with Ooredoo Maldives and Maldives Cricket Board to host the second annual Migrant Workers’ Cricket Carnival 2022. Slated for 02nd December 2022, from 08:00hrs until 18:00hrs, the second annual Migrant Workers’ Cricket Carnival was announced following last year’s debut event’s success. The carnival’s aims is to “celebrate migrate workers and their contributions to the community and provide an opportunity for them to come together” for enjoyment and leisure. The carnival will feature stalls around the stadium offering several services which include; Free health screenings Mobile consultation clinics Legal awareness MMWM reports…

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceeded 1.46 million in annual terms, as of 23rd November 2022. According to Maldives Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals by the review date reached a total of 1,456,170 in annual terms. This marks a 29.8% annual increment, compared to the same period last year. In 2021, by the same review date, tourist arrivals reached 1,122,245 in annual terms. On the other hand, the annual arrival total in 2022 is still 2.8% below the same period in 2019, during which arrivals were recorded at 1,497,599. Looking at arrivals to the Maldives exclusively from 01st November until…

State’s cumulative tax revenue has reached MVR16,953.0 million (MVR16.95 billion) as of 17th November 2022. On the other hand, cumulative non-tax revenue has reached MVR6,568.7 million (MVR6.6 billion) by the review date. The two revenue components combined gives a cumulative revenue total of MVR23,695.8 million (MVR23.7 billion) as of review date. For the same period in 2021, the cumulative tax revenue had reached MVR12,370.3 million (MVR12.4 billion). Meanwhile, cumulative non-tax revenue total for the same period last year stood at MVR4,778.7 million (MVR4.8 billion). Major Tax Revenues Goods and Services Tax (GST): MVR8,195.1 million (MVR8.2 billion) Business and Property Tax:…