Author: Mohamed Reehaan
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…
Over 800 households have applied for Fenaka Corporation’s Home Solar initiative. Managing Director of the utility provider, Ahmed Saeed, confirmed to state media PSM the initiative was received with praises by members of the public. Fenaka aims to install solar panels in 1,000 households by the end of 2022. The Home Solar is structured as a small cost investment, bringing permanent solution to the surge in utility bills powered through conventional means. Fenaka expects bill reductions by 97%; claiming residences incurring MVR2,000 on power bills may drop as low as MVR60. The renewable energy means will guarantee low maintenance costs,…
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) initiates a series of high-profile roadshows; “Maldives Roadshow in USA and Canada”. The series of roadshows are held under the “effort to maintain destination momentum in the North American market.” USA is one of the top source markets to the Maldives, with an annual arrival total of 52,168 as of 07th September 2022. The roadshows that commenced on 12th September will conclude on 15th September, Wednesday. The series is hosted in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. The roadshows are part of MMPRC’s current strategies to strengthen relations with the US and Canadian…
Banyan Tree Group, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, commences its anniversary celebrations in 2022 with the biggest campaign of the year. The group will launch its “Live Well, Travel Well” campaign from 14th September until 04th October 2022, inviting travelers to its properties across 23 countries to reconnect with the world with 33% savings on stays and spa journeys. Banyan Tree properties are known from its landscapes of pristine nature, with rich history. The groups over 60 properties offer “deep connections to destinations” complemented by “contemporary sensibilities and signature standards.” The “Live Well, Travel Well” campaign will allow…
Maldives government has proposed a solution to the conflict-ridden land use plans of local islands with a partly approval approach. Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mr. Mohamed Aslam confirmed land use plans will now proceed under a phase-based structure. This alleviates the previous approach of entire project approval by the ministry prior to commencement. Minister Aslam made the confirmation at the ongoing ‘Viavathi Raajje’ conference in Laamu atoll. The conference brings together council presidents, WDC heads and other prolific stakeholders from Southern atolls to discuss over an array of topics. The Maldivian Decentralization Act confers island council members…
The rate of inflation, as measured by the annual percentage change in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), decelerated to 2.5% in July 2022. Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reports that the rate of inflation went down to its current level from 5.2% in June 2022. Largest contributors to the annual rate of inflation in July 2022 came from fish, petrol, meat, medicine, passenger transport, oil and fats. The monthly percentage change in the national CPI dropped to 0.15% in July 2022 from 0.45% in June.
State earned a total of MVR1.32 billion revenue in August 2022, reports Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). The revenue earned for the review month was a 3.6% increase from the same month in 2021. This increment comes largely from the surge in the collection of TGST, airport development fee and airport service charge. Tourist arrivals in July 2022 saw a 31.2% increment compared to corresponding month last year, which led to favorable outcome in tourism-related receipts (carried forward to August). Moreover, the revenue earned in August 2022 is a 5.9% increment from initial projection as well. This increment comes due…