Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Maldives Association of Yacht Agency (MAYA) announced that nine cruise liners are expected to arrive in the Maldives throughout 2023. The cruise liners will reportedly bring an approximate total of 12,000 travelers. The vessels will be docking at Male’ City, Addu City and Haa Alif atoll. Expected Cruise Liner arrivals for 2023 23rd January: MS Artania | Docking in Male’, Passenger Capacity: 1,280 02nd February: MS Oceania Nautica | Docking in Male’, Passenger Capacity: 684 04th February: MS Costa Deliziosa | Docking in Male’, Passenger Capacity: 2,826 17th March: MS Silver Shadow | Docking in Addu City, Passenger Capacity:…

Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced a change in customer interaction for its Accounts Opening Center. According to the national bank, it will effectively stop taking appointments for the Accounts Opening Center, and render same-day services via QueueBee tokens. Tokens will be issued from 08:15hrs until 12:00hrs from Sunday to Thursday. The bank also confirmed a limited number of tokens will be issued each day.

Statistics indicate Maafaru International Airport recorded 228 private jet landings in 2022. The jet landings last year decreased compared to 2021, during which 297 landings were reported. Island Aviation Services (IAS), the managing company of the airport, reports 1,571 direct tourist arrivals, and 1,493 departures last year. Statistics also confirmed the strongest arrival numbers from European markets, with Middle-Eastern markets in the second spot. Meanwhile, the airport has already observed 26 private jet landings so far in 2023, while IAS said more landings are expected for the month. Maafaru International Airport observes significant jet landings outside of Velana International Airport…

The Maldives Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology have announced a new 70 Mega Watt renewable energy project. The ministry confirms that the project is currently in various stages of development. Ahmed Ali, the Director General of the ministry said several energy projects are in progress, including the renewable energy initiative. Solar panels have already been installed on 12 islands in Thaa atoll, which falls under the project. The ministry envisions massive reductions in energy subsidies with renewable energy initiatives.

Dubai’s low-cost carrier FlyDubai, earlier scheduled to launch operations to Addu City Gan on 04th February, will be postponing the operations to June. Speaking about the delay, Mohamed Firaq the Managing Director of Inner Maldives, FlyDubai’s local agent, said the flights to Gan will now launch on 24th June. With this decision the existing Dubai-Male’ flight will accommodate passengers who have already booked tickets to travel next month. Travel date changes will not incur any additional fees, said Firaq. Firaq also noted that the airline decided to postpone its new flight routes since it requires additional time and activities to…

Sonee Sports opens its latest sportswear retail outlet focusing exclusively on one of the world’s leading sports apparel brands; Adidas. The latest of Sonee Sports’ retail outlet is run in the building where Sonee Sports Lifestyle formerly ran, located in Chaandhanee Magu. Sonee’s Adidas store offers a wide range of apparel, shoes and other items for runners, joggers and professional athletes. The outlet is also offering 10% discount on all available products as part of the opening. Special showcases include Adidas Ultra-Boost 5.0 sneakers designed for joggers and runners, the Pro Nex 2021 specifically designed for professional basketball players, and…

Maldives Correctional Service on Saturday, 07th January 2023, denied rumors that it has actively ceased providing insurance coverage to staff. Several media outlets have reported on Friday claiming Correctional Service has halted its insurance coverage to prison officers and rehabilitation service staff. Correctional Service spokesperson Aminath Yusreen Ahmed has since refuted media claims. According to Yusreen, Correctional Service had signed a one-year contract with a local insurance provider in 2022. “The contract would have expired with the end of the year, right? We are communicating with another insurance provider to re-start insurance coverage. This hasn’t been finalized yet,” she said.…

The Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the National Disability Registry (NDR) was instrumental in the administration’s efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The President made the statement last Thursday, 05th January 2023, while addressing a function in R. Alifushi to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, Maldives First Lady Fazna Ahmed officially launched the NDR digital portal at the function, held in Alifushi School. The function was attended by senior government officials, community leaders, and residents of the island. While addressing the attendees, President Solih underlined the efforts made under…

Oaga Art Resort opened its doors, officially welcoming travelers from around the globe, this new year. The newly opened tourist getaway, a contemporary brand driven by a wholly Maldivian team focuses the main concept of the resort around the philosophy of organic community growth. The art resort focuses on “elevating the collective story of the Maldive islands with a platform especially made to cater to local artists and craftsmen” while embracing the surrounding sun, sand, and beaches. The resort opened with the 2023 new year celebrations, showcasing a transition from the traditional ways of the forefathers to the contemporary street…

According to the Maldives Ministry of Finance, the government used 99.8% of the approved expenditure budget by 29th December 2022. The approved state expenditure total for last year was MVR39.95 billion after the inclusion of an MVR5.8 billion supplementary budget. As of 29th December, the cumulative total expenditure stood at MVR39.89 billion. On the other hand, the state revenues inclusive of grants were observed at an excess of MVR3.3 billion by the review date. The projected total of revenues inclusive of grants for last year stood at MVR24.3 billion, however, by the review date the state had earned MVR27.6 billion.…