Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, provided the most recent update of Hanimaadhoo International Airport project’s progress. RACL reports installation of runway lights is currently ongoing, aligning with the schedule for the operation of the completed 1,200 meters of the new runway. Additionally, RACL said it was anticipating a test flight landing on Sunday next week, January 28, 2024. Earlier on Monday, January 22, 2024, the country’s national airline Maldivian, participated in the technical inspection of the new runway of the airport to assess the tarmac’s condition.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has provided modern medical beds to Kaafu atoll Guraidhoo Center. The facility falls under the purview of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. An official ceremony was hosted at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 for the official handover. Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed personally delivered and handed over the beds, which was received by the Minister of Social and Family Development Dr. Aishath Shiham.

SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) on Monday, January 22, 2024 announced the appointment of its new Managing Director. SDFC announced the appointment of Ms. Aishath Fifsheen Ali as the new Managing Director, and subsequently appointed to the board as the company’s Executive Director as well. Among the notable responsibilities she fulfilled previously include the Head of Channel Management at the Bank of Maldives (BML).

As per the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals have reached 128,548 as of January 21, 2024. The arrival figure is 11.6% above the same period in 2023, during which arrivals stood at 89,369. The current daily arrival average is 6,121 while the average duration of stay is 8.0 days. The Maldives is currently experiencing the high-season in tourism, which experiences an exponential growth in the influx of visitors. Top 10 Markets – 2024 Russia: 14,495 Italy: 13,965 UK: 10,689 China: 10,113 India: 9,744 Germany: 8,013 USA: 4,857 France: 4,471 Poland: 3,685 Kazakhstan: 2,717 India which usually…

The largest telecommunication provider in the Maldives, Dhiraagu has shown the grand prize of its #taslaafatesla promotion; a Tesla Model-2. Customers with Dhiraagu Postpaid 450 plan and above or Fiber Broadband 30M plan or above are eligible to enroll in the promotion. Those who are on other plans can upgrade to any of the plans that grant them eligibility in order to enroll in the giveaway. The deadline for this special promotion is January 31, 2024, and customers can upgrade their postpaid or Fiber Broadband plan at any time before the due to become eligible.

The cumulative total of state expenditure has reached MVR 524.0 million as of January 11, 2024, reported the Ministry of Finance. As per the ministry’s most recent Weekly Fiscal Development, the revenues inclusive of grants stood at MVR 390.3 million at the review date’s time. Which means the overall balance for the period is MVR 133.7 million, a 31.1% drop from the same period in 2023. The state generated MVR 275.5 million out of the current cumulative total in tax revenues, and MVR 114.8 million in non-tax revenues. The cumulative total of tax revenues in 2023 for the same period…

Ooredoo Maldives has introduced pre-ordering for the latest Samsung S24 series. The S24 series comes in three variants, the Samsung Galaxy S24, its larger S24+ sibling and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. From January 19, 2024, 00:00hrs onwards until February, 6, 2024 the pre-order feature for the premium flagship handsets of Samsung will be available from Ooredoo Maldives’ e-commerce website; Moolee. With every pre-order for the latest Samsung handsets, customers can; Get a Samsung Galaxy Watch for free 100GB Bonus Data Two-month premium offer on Adobe Lightroom Two-month premium offer on Adobe Express MVR 1,000 worth voucher for the first…

The Minister of Social and Family Development Dr. Aishath Shiham announced the current government’s plan of introducing a new loan program for female entrepreneurs. The loan program was announced by the minister at the launching event of the new Hiyala Weekend Market, at the Container Park Area in Hulhumale’. At the event, the minister said the loan program would be announced soon, though specifics were not mentioned. However, the minister announced it would be an MVR 100 million loan program. The loan scheme is introduced to empower female entrepreneurs and local businesses run by women.

Business Center Corporation (BCC) launched the Hiyala Weekend Market on Friday, January 19, 2024. The market is a collaborative effort of the BCC and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and their businesses, and provide a platform to showcase Maldivian products. The initiative is aligned with the current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s “Hafthaa 14” (Week-14) pledge as well. The opening event was attended by the Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Fazul Rasheed.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) welcomed the first direct flight from Hong Kon on January 19, 2024. A special ceremony was held at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Friday evening, to commemorate the arrival of flight HX791, from Hong Kong International Airport. The tourists were greeted with traditional BoduBeru and presented with a special gift pack. Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Wang Lixin, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service along with other government-related enterprises and associations attended the event.