Author: Mohamed Reehaan

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…

Bank of Maldives (BML) has submitted a license application to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, taking its first formal step toward opening a branch in the neighboring country. CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef made the announcement on a state media programme on Tuesday night. Shareef pointed to the sizeable Maldivian community residing in Sri Lanka as a key driver behind the move. He also signaled broader ambitions, confirming that BML is actively exploring branch openings in other countries beyond Sri Lanka. Domestically, BML already operates an extensive network. The bank runs 42 branches and 179 self-service centers across…

The government will recruit 456 employees to staff newly established Public Works Units across multiple islands in the Maldives. Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef made the announcement at a press conference held today at the President’s Office. The government has designated 19 islands to host the new units. These islands include: HA. Dhidhdhoo Sh. Funadhoo Sh. Milandhoo N. Manadhoo R. Maakurathu B. Eydhafushi Lh. Naifaru K. Thulusdhoo AA. Rasdhoo ADh. Mahibadhoo ADh. Maamigili V. Felidhoo M. Muli F. Nilandhoo Dh. Kudahuvadhoo Th. Veymandoo Th. Vilufushi L. Gan GA. Vilingili On staffing, the plan calls for…

The Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) will begin producing water in Kulhudhuffushi City using exclusively solar energy this coming April, completely eliminating the use of diesel in the process. MWSC Managing Director Abdul Matheen made the announcement on World Water Day via a social media statement, highlighting the project as a major step forward in the government’s water security agenda. Matheen noted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has made it a core policy priority to build water systems that harness the Maldives’ natural resources. This approach aims to ensure uninterrupted water services for citizens, even in the face of…

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to develop national strategic oil reserves across three regions of the Maldives, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term energy and economic security strategy. Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, President Muizzu outlined a phased development approach, with each phase expected to span between 18 months and two years. The full project is projected to reach completion within five to six years. Preliminary research for the National Oil Reserve has already been initiated, with planning and structural frameworks currently under development. The President drew parallels between…

Maldives Gas has lifted restrictions on the purchase of 10kg gas cylinders, announcing that a fresh shipment has arrived and resolved the supply shortfall that had temporarily halted sales. The disruption stemmed from broader instability in global energy markets, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which triggered considerable volatility in international oil and gas prices. In response to the constrained supply environment, Maldives Gas had introduced controlled sales measures to safeguard continuity of service for its customers, which included suspending retail sales of the 10kg cylinders.…

Let’s start with a simple observation. Think about the last few times the global economy was doing genuinely well, not just for Wall Street, but for everyday people in everyday countries. Trade was humming and emerging economies were posting impressive growth numbers. Countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America were building infrastructure, reducing poverty, and — here’s the part that rarely makes headlines — starting to pay off their debts to Western lenders and institutions. And then, almost like clockwork, something blew up somewhere. A war. A conflict. A regime in need of changing. A terrorist organization that suddenly had…

The Maldives is bracing for a significant economic blow as Finance Minister Moosa Zameer revealed that the ongoing Middle East conflict could drain between $85 million and $90 million from the country’s finances within a single month, a stark warning that has prompted the government to reassess its spending priorities and explore additional financing options. Minister Zameer made the disclosure at a media briefing held by the special ministerial committee formed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu specifically to manage the economic and social fallout of the regional conflict on Maldivian citizens. Non-Negotiable Expenditures in a Tightening Budget Despite the anticipated…

Maldives Finance Minister Moosa Zameer has confirmed that the Maldives is expecting two incoming oil shipments, one from Singapore and another from Oman, as the government moves to safeguard the nation’s energy supply against the backdrop of escalating Middle East tensions. Speaking at a press briefing convened by the special ministerial committee established by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to monitor the regional conflict’s potential economic impact, Minister Zameer said a vessel loaded in Singapore is scheduled to dock in the Maldives at the start of April, carrying both diesel and petrol. A second shipment departing from Sohar, Oman, is expected…

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu made a personal visit to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) construction site in Hulhumalé Phase II to review preparations for the newly launched “Affordable Housing” project. The site inspection came a day after the President attended the project’s official foundation stone-laying ceremony. The initiative forms a central part of the government’s broader housing agenda and will see 1,224 residential units built across Hulhumalé, with financing provided by the Bank of Maldives (BML). At the site, CMEC officials walked with President through the technical groundwork and mobilization efforts already underway ahead of construction beginning in earnest.…