Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) introduces Asset Security Services to safeguard the infrastructure and assets in Velana International Airport (VIA). Asset Security Services fall under the supervision of Safety, Security and Compliance Department of the airport; with the aim of manning, surveilling and patrolling the assets at the airport venue. The new section was introduced on Monday, 19th September. Deputy Managing Director of MACL Ibrahim Thoha commented on the challenges brought forth with new airport infrastructure development initiatives, which in turn has given rise to the requirement for extensive security protocols. Under the new service, MACL staff will guard the…
State expenditure reaches MVR25.19 billion in annual terms as of 08th September 2022, reports Ministry of Finance. According to the ministry’s most recent statistical update, revenues inclusive of foreign grants is currently at MVR19.19 billion in annual terms. State spent 73% on recurrent expenses, remaining 27% on capital expenses. On the other hand, state earned 74% of its revenue from tax sources, remaining 26% from non-tax sources. Overall balance for the review period is a deficit of MVR5.99 billion. Tax revenues in annual terms stood at MVR14.14 billion by the review date. Non-tax revenues in annual terms reached MVR4.95 billion.…
Kazakhstan extends visa exemptions for Maldivians who are traveling to the Central Asian country, effective from 14th September. Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm the exemption allows locals holding valid diplomatic, official and ordinary passports to enter and stay in Kazakhstan for a maximum period of 30 days from the date of entry. The visa exemption is in accordance to the agreement signed between Maldives and Kazakhstan earlier on 09th May. Maldivians who wish to stay longer than the valid visa exemption period must obtain proper visa ahead of travel. Maldives government views this visa exemption to the Central Asian country…
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) confirms their decision to extend free services of RTL mini-buses for another two weeks. Test phase of the RTL bus service began earlier on 05th September, which concluded Sunday, 18th September. The test phase aimed to assess public reception, and familiarize them with bus routes. Fare for the mini-bus service is reportedly MVR7. Since MTCC’s launch of bus services within Male’ City – restarting public transport nearly 10 years later – members of the public have begun opting for the service. MTCC reports an average of 8,000 daily passengers. Services start daily at 05:45hrs,…
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has promoted the Maldivian tourism sector at Asia’s largest dive fair, ADEX 2022. The premier tourism promoter showcased the island nation’s seascapes, underwater sceneries and gave detailed exposition on dive adventures available in the country. The event is held at Sands Expo & Convention Center, Singapore. The dive fair commenced on 16th and will last until 18th September 2022. The dive fair has a history spanning 26 years, and is one of the biggest and longest-running dive expos in Asia. The event is considered as the a “must attend” in the industry. MMPRC…
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives reach a total of over 1.13 million as of 14th September 2022, reports Ministry of Tourism. The latest statistical update confirms exact total at 1,130,035. According to the state body, tourist arrivals by the review period increased by 38.9% in annual terms, when compared with the corresponding period in 2021. However, it was still 4.8% below pre-pandemic levels – corresponding period in 2019. Statistics confirm tourist arrivals in annual terms reached 813,690 by the same period in 2021, whereas in 2019 arrival total in annual terms stood at 1,186,753. Current source market share; India -…
State Trading Organization (STO) announces completion of installing solar power system in the company’s staple foods warehouse. The project was carried out in accordance with STO’s green-initiative. STO further confirms this was a pilot project to observe renewable energy production. Harnessed power from the panels can be transferred to State Electric Company’s (STELC) power grid, while subsequently powering up a majority STO’s medical warehouse units. The project commenced earlier on 17th July, and concluded on 15th September 2022. This marks the most recent in STO’s strategies to exercise greener solutions. The company uses battery-powered forklifts and similar machinery in their…
Ministry of Tourism in association with Ocean Geographic and Maldives Alliance of Dive Operators (MADO) is set to launch a new underwater photo competition, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country’s tourism industry. To help draw attention to the global heritage and landmark achievement of Maldives, Ocean Geographic is supporting a health assessment photo competition. This one-day photo shoot-out of Maldives’ 50 best sites is scheduled for 28th September between 07:30hrs and 17:30hrs across 50 pre-selected signature dive sites. The initiative is aimed to “memorialize the unique underwater haven that Maldives has to offer.” Initially designed to amplify the…
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun actual ground works of the Madaveli-Hoandehdhoo causeway project, in Gaaf Dhaal atoll. The project was officiated at a special ceremony held in Hoandehdhoo on Tuesday, 13th September. The ceremony was graced by Mr. Hussain Firushan, Madaveli MP, along with Madaveli council’s president Fiyaz Hassan, his Hoandehdhoo council counterpart Hussain Warish and MTCC CEO Adam Azim. According to MTCC, the causeway will be developed to sustain heavy-load vehicles while allowing ocean currents to flow underneath the structure. The contractor further the structure will connect four islands within the atoll which include; Madaveli Hoandehdhoo…
In a strategic move to facilitate ease for local residing in Malaysia, and strengthening bilateral ties, Maldives and the Southeast Asian country has signed on an agreement that will recognize Maldivian driving licenses without secondary supporting documents. Previously, Maldivians had to acquire authentication document of their licenses through the Maldivian High Commission in Malaysia. The agreement signing took place earlier in August 2022 between Malaysian government and Ministry of Transport, Maldives. Minister of Transport Ms. Aishath Nahula had signed on behalf of Maldives while her Malaysian counterpart Dr. Wee Ka Siong signed on behalf of Malaysia. The contract confirms the…