Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Maldives has welcomed 601,707 tourists so far this year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism. The tally marks a 6.5% increase over the same period last year. Air travel accounts for the overwhelming majority of arrivals at 595,405, with a further 6,302 arriving by sea. Monthly figures show strong momentum. January drew 227,403 visitors, followed by a busier February at 254,365. A further 119,939 tourists arrived in the first 23 days of this month alone. China leads all source markets with 90,189 arrivals. Russia ranks seconds at 72,934, followed by the United Kingdom at 56,593. Italy…

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed says the government’s drive to broaden import sources for essential goods is producing results. He delivered the update at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The government has rolled out targeted measures to shield the Maldives from economic fallout stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Direct cargo flights from the UAE have operated since March 4th, with volumes rising steadily. Sea freight imports, meanwhile, remains largely stable. The Minister confirmed active efforts to identify alternative suppliers beyond the country’s traditional import partners. Target markets include India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Beyond…

Hulhumalé’s first dedicated parking building broke grown today, with Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen laying the foundation stone. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu attended the ceremony, signaling the administration’s commitment to resolving the Greater Male’ Area’s growing parking problem. The Ministry of Transport and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) are jointly delivering the project under the Public Service Investment Program (PSIP). Batch Construction Private Limited won the contract for the project. The 13-storey structure will accommodate over 800 four-wheeled vehicles and more than 500 motorcycles. Construction begins immediately, with completion targeted within two years. The project is the…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) held its annual Staff Awards ceremony last night, recognizing outstanding employees across a wide range of categories. The event saw 38 awards presented to individuals and teams who delivered distinguished service throughout 2025. Misbah Abdul Rasheed, Head of Business Systems in the Technology Division, took home the night’s top honor: Employee of the Year. BML cited his exceptional skills and his contribution to the institution across 2025. The Leadership Excellence Award went to Yumna Naseem, Head of Property in the Properties and Administration Division. Five senior figures earned the CEO Award for Outstanding Achievement, reflecting…

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) now manages and maintains 704 social housing units in Hulhumalé Phase 1. HDC and the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure formalized the arrangement last Tuesday, signing an official transfer agreement. Under the agreement, HDC assumes full responsibility for renovation, upkeep, and general maintenance of the Phase 1 flats. Previously, the Ministry of Housing managing these units directly. Following the signing, HDC moved quickly as maintenance crews began practical work on the flats immediately. HDC has also notified residents of the change. “Effective immediately, all maintenance issues concerning the 704 housing units will be addressed…

Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has declared that Vilimale’ will become a thriving hub of opportunities before President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s five-year term concludes. He made the statement at a foundation-laying ceremony last Thursday, marking the start of a 300-unit housing project that the Bank of Maldives will finance and construct on the island. At the ceremony, the Minister recalled President Muizzu’s visit to Vilimale’, where residents raised one concern above all others: a serious housing shortage affecting growing families. Residents also told the President directly about their struggle to repay home construction loans on a…

The government plans to begin handing over land plots in Giravaru Falhu within three weeks. Minister of Construction Dr. Abdulla Muththalib confirmed the target publicly. He stressed that the administration treats the handover as an immediate priority following the conclusion of land reclamation works. Reclamation of Giravaru Falhu began in late January. The project has since advanced at a rapid pace. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu personally inspected the site today, accompanied by Minister Muththalib. The visit signals the administration’s commitment to delivering results quickly. However, the project has faced planning challenges. When the current administration took office, authorities had already…

The Ministry of Finance and Planning has introduced a comprehensive new set of development control regulations for residential construction in Hulhumalé, published in the Government Gazette and effective today. The ministry issued the regulation under the Urban Planning and Management Act (16/2024), replacing the previous Hulhumalé Planning and Construction Regulation (R-99/2023). The scope of the new framework marks an immediate and significant shift. Unlike its predecessor, which applied only to Neighborhoods 1, 2, and 3 of Phase 1, the new regulation covers all neighborhoods across Hulhumalé. It also carries stronger legal footing, anchored in the national Urban Planning Act rather…

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has introduced new traffic management arrangements at Velana International Airport (VIA), effective today, targeting smoother passenger movement around Terminal 2. Starting from 10:00hrs this morning, the area directly in front of Terminal 2 now operates as a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone. MACL has divided the space into two clearly defined sections, each serving a distinct purpose. The zone between the roundabout and the Terminal 2 Arrivals area now functions exclusively as a drop-off point. It features marked taxi slots with capacity for four vehicles at a time. Directly opposite, the section between the…

The Maldives Police Service has recovered MVR 124,277 in stolen funds following a surge in scam reports filed between March 15 and March 21. The Anti-Scam Centre recorded 51 cases during this period, with total reported losses reaching MVR 338,809. Online shopping fraud led the week’s cases, accounting for 27 of the 51 incidents. Authorities also recorded 10 impersonation cases, 8 foreign currency exchange scams, and several phishing attempts carried out through malicious links. Scammers operated primarily through iBay, Facebook Marketplace, online messaging platforms, and direct phone calls. Scam activity has been a growing concern in the Maldives, prompting the…