Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Bank of Maldives announce the winners of their Small Grants Fund. The fund was introduced as part of the series of 12 high-impact monthly community initiatives to celebrate the bank’s 40th anniversary, celebrated this year. The Small Grants Fund was announced to support local non-government organizations (NGOs) to implement community-based projects. These projects, according to the bank guidelines should focus on addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. The winners will receive a grant of MVR250,000 each, to implement their plans. The eight winners include; Maldives Ocean Plastic Alliance (MOPA) Huvadhoo Association for Tourism (HAT) Vaadhoo Association for Future Development…

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) announced request-for-proposals (RFPs), seeking a host property for next year’s largest destination marketing event; ‘The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023′. According to MMPRC, the event is scheduled for May next year. The “Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference” will begin on 07th May 2023, to promote the destination and showcase the unique tourism experience offered by Maldives. With the conference, MMPRC aims to position the country beyond the “traditional sun, sand, and sea” while increasing awareness on MICE and sustainable tourism segments among influencers, bloggers and travel writers. The event is expected to bring together,…

International Maldives Travel Market announce the third edition of its Sustainable Tourism Forum (STF) 2022 will be held at Manhattan Business Hotel, Male’ City. The IMTM Sustainable Tourism Forum is a travel-centric platform connecting stakeholders of Maldives tourism industry, and encourage them to engage in dialogue on issues related to social, economic and environmental sustainability in the tourism sector. The forum’s organizer aims provide education and inspire the industry as a whole, to make the island nation a sustainable tourist destination. The third edition of STF is scheduled on 3rd and 4th December 2022. The primary theme for this year’s…

Maldives government has sold MVR3.49 billion worth of treasury bills (T-Bills) to fund state expenses, report Ministry of Finance. The ministry on 16th November 2022, confirmed the sale of T-Bills stood at MVR3.3 billion. Following this update, the more recent statistical update from the state body show the total T-Bills had reached to MVR3.4 billion from the date of previous announcement. Repayments MVR453 million worth T-Bills | Repayment Period: 28 days MVR333.7 million worth T-Bills | Repayment Period: 98 days MVR999.8 million worth T-Bills | Repayment Period: 182 days MVR1.7 billion worth T-Bills | Repayment Period: 364 days T-Bill interest…

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…