Author: Mohamed Reehaan
The new pay framework for the higher education sector will see salary increments between 14% and 99%, while administrative staff will receive an increment of 35%. The Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said that consultations were carried out with representatives of the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of the Maldives (IUM) about the new pay framework. The minister also said that the staff would now be eligible for promotions every two years. According to the information published by the ministry, MNU currently has 376 administrative staff and 64 at the IUM. Maldives government spends a total of…
The third-largest record label in the world, US-based Warner Music, has acquired the distribution rights to Manta Air’s theme song, “Wind Walker”. The theme track is performed by local band The Kabans which also features Maldivian Idol winner Mariyam Maeesha. The track was produced by the band’s Ahmed Faizan and written by Naufal Naseem. This also marks the first time Warner Music has acquired distribution rights to a Maldivian song. The Kabans is currently working on their first studio album, which will also be distributed by Warner Music. Speaking about this remarkable achievement, the band’s member Ahmed ‘Kokko’ Arshad spoke…
Addu International Airport Private Limited (AIA) has contracted Renaatus Projects Private Limited, an India-based company, to develop Gan International Airport. The agreement was officially signed by Gais Naseer, the Managing Director of AIA and Selvasundaram Poosapan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Renaatus Projects. At the signing ceremony, Naseer pressed on the importance of the interdependence of the development of Addu City and the airport. He also said that AIA is planning to construct two city hotels in Gan, and projected that the successful completion of the initiatives will stimulate the economy in the southern region. Meanwhile, the High Commissioner…
Bank of Maldives (BML) has enabled One Time Passwords (OTPs) for all QR payments. The bank has introduced the additional layer to further enhance security for payments through its application. Once updated, the BML Mobile Banking application will allow customers to make Scan to Pay transactions of any amount using an OTP that can be generated using an Authenticator, SMS, or email. Meanwhile, several steps were made by the bank to protect customers from scams. Earlier in December 2022, the bank enabled authenticator applications to generate OTPs for all transactions processed via Internet and Mobile Banking to protect customers even…
State Electric Company (STELCO) has said it will be introducing a new organizational position in its company hierarchy for better operations management. STELCO is set to introduce Technical Heads in all of its stations, the utility provider’s Managing Director Ahmed Shareef said. According to Shareef, each of STELCO’s stations have a technically certified supervisor who will be responsible to ensure the stations meet all the technical requirements. The supervisors will also be responsible in seeking timely solutions to any technical malfunctions or setbacks. Apart from stationing technical heads, STELCO is also geared to provide capacity development for the managers of…
The “Kula Kula” Festival of Colors will be held at Oaga Art Resort from 07th to 09th March 2023. Taking inspiration from the Hindu festival of Holi and the Brazilian Rio Carnival, both known as a celebration of music, dance, and color that brings people together from all over the world. The three-day festival’s main highlights include the collaborative live mural painting – a first in the Maldives, by American artist Daev Momo and Maldivian street artist Ahmed Sobah (aka Toxicrew). Momo began his experimental outdoor work in the late 90s while some of the notable mural commissions of him…
ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN Reserve Bolifushi has won the “Global Winner” title at World Luxury Spa Awards 2022 in the ‘Luxury Holistic Spa’ category. The World Luxury Spa Awrds is regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury spa industry offering international recognition. Over 250,000 international travelers vote each year for four weeks to select the winners of the awards. “My team makes me proud every day. A big debt of gratitude goes to our fantastic teams, without whom none of this would have been possible, and of course, we wouldn’t be here without our loving guests…
Fresh vegetable produces from GDh. Vaadhoo fills up the counters at STO Agricenter. The State Trading Organization (STO) opened its Agricenter in an effort to support local farmers and agricultural prospects. The state-owned enterprise is responsible for directly purchasing fresh produce from local farmers, and selling them to tourist resorts and other businesses. According to STO, fresh vegetables produced in Vaadhoo including sweet potato, butternut squash, pumpkin, and tomato have filled up the Agricenter is already available for wholesale and retail purchase. Wholesale prices start from 5 kilograms for each item, while prices vary. Sweet potato has a wholesale rate…
The government revenues and grants increased by 23% in December 2022 compared to the same month in 2021, reported the Ministry of Finance. According to the ministry, the government revenues and grants for December 2022 stood at a total of MVR3,426.6 million. Tax revenues for the month stood at MVR1,488.9 million and non-tax revenues at MVR1,918.3 million. Grants received to the state stood at MVR15.5 million. The government expenditure on the other hand, increased by 47.1% compared to December 2021. Total expenditure for the review month stood at MVR5,426.5 million. Capital expenditure increased by 139.5% and stood at MVR2,837.6 million.…
The total tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceeded 356,000 as of 01st March 2023. According to the latest statistics updated by the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals reached a total of 356,538 by the review date. This is a 27.1% increase when compared with the same period in 2022, during which arrivals stood at 280,538. Tourist Arrivals by Month January: 172,499 February: 177,914 Meanwhile, the Maldives welcomed a total of 6,125 tourists on the first day of March. The daily arrival average by the review date is 5,815 and the average duration of stay is 8.0 days. Top 10 Markets…