Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Maldives Parliament is seeking a sit down with the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) to go over the challenges in countering fake or forged academic credentials. North-Galolhu parliamentarian Mohamed ‘Kudoo’ Ibrahim sent a letter, addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla. In his letter, the MP highlighted prevailing challenges in effectively combatting forgeries in relation to academic certificates. Major issues highlighted in the letter include: Students receive only symbolic certification without academia Subjects taught in unauthenticated programs do not meet criteria of the international academic standards Employees lack practical knowledge despite academic credentials Employers’ lack of confidence…

The Dhivehi Investment Nafa Fund opened its newest offering, Dhinaf-48, today, putting MVR 40 million worth of fresh investment opportunities into the market. The launch follows the successful close of the fund’s earlier round, Dhinaf-36. Dhinaf hosted a special ceremony at its head office to mark the occasion. Investors can apply from today. Who Can Take Part of How to Qualify Dhinaf operates as an investment fund registered under the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA). The fund grants investment opportunities according to criteria that meet CMDA regulations. Individuals who wish to join must earn at least MVR 1 million a…

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments announces 79 development projects nationwide. The ministry confirmed the figure this week. According to the ministry, these Islamic Affairs development projects aim to strengthen religious infrastructure and services across the country. The portfolio covers four main categories. The ministry is building and upgrading 45 mosques. It is also delivering 12 Islamic Centre projects. A further 16 projects support the National Centre for the Holy Quran. Six waqf building constructions complete the list. The ministry said it is pushing each scheme toward timely and efficient delivery. Communities throughout the Maldives will benefit with the…

Maldives parliamentarians threw their support behind the Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Bill this week as Parliament opened preliminary debate on the legislation. Most members who spoke backed the bill, describing it as necessary for the country’s future. Mohamed Ali, the parliamentarian for Gadhdhoo, introduced the bill. It aims to give the Maldives a legal foundation for its ongoing digital transformation drive. What the Bill Does The bill sets out rules for how government institutions adopt and manage digital systems. It standardizes the requirements that government offices must follow when they build software, develop applications, or buy new technology systems. Previously,…

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has signed a new Presidential Decree governing cross-subsidy investment in the Maldives. The decree sets out which projects qualify for cross-subsidy arrangements and establishes the minimum investment thresholds contractors must meet to participate. The Maldives Tourism Act requires the government to publish these thresholds annually in the Government Gazette. This decree fulfills that obligation. What the Decree Governs The decree attaches an annex listing eligible projects and their corresponding investment minimums. The list spans a wide range of development priorities including land reclamation for tourism and public use, prison development, airport expansion, social housing, island causeways,…

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture is moving forward with agricultural pilot programs across larger islands. These programs will lay the groundwork for the major agricultural project planned for Fushidhiggaru Falhu, the ministry adds. In 2024, the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone signed a deal with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited. The agreement established an agricultural economic zone targeting Maldives food security. State Minister Ahmed Hassan Didi confirmed that the ministry has finished proposals and completed detailed groundwork for the project. A change in the project’s location has triggered further adjustments. Preparations are currently underway. The ministry is not waiting…

The Ministry of Housing has announced plans to launch additional social housing schemes outside Malé. The government targets inauguration of two new projects within the coming month. State Minister of Housing Ahmed Nazim Mohamed confirmed the timeline on a state media programme. “These two projects are intended to be implemented in the islands alongside the existing ongoing projects,” he commented. The Ministry describes the initiatives as a deliberate push to redistribute the population. The government wants citizens to settle in designated urban development zones outside the capital rather than converging on Malé. Officials identify inadequate housing in home islands and…

Saudi Arabia’s budget carrier, Flynas has relaunched their scheduled flights to the Maldives once more. The airline’s first flight touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA), the country’s primary air gateway on Saturday, June 19, marking the restart of a key Middle East corridor. The resumption comes not long after tensions in the Middle East, on perpetual escalation following US and Israel-led attacks on Iran began earlier in 2026, has dissipated after the US and Iran signed a deal aimed at ending the conflict. While the two events appear to have no connection, it would still suggest that the US-Iran…

Maldives debt servicing dominated the government’s cash outflows through early June. Loan repayments reached MVR 8.7 billion by June 4. One year earlier, the same period saw repayments of just MVR 3.1 billion. Repayments, in short, nearly tripled. The figure dwarfs most other lines in the accounts and signals a heavy year for the treasury. Interest told a gentler side of the same story. Finance and interest costs came to MVR 2.3 billion, slightly below last year’s level. So the pressure stems from principal falling due, not from a rising interest bill. The government must now hand back large sums…

Maldives tourism tax revenue rose through early June, even though fewer travelers reached the islands. Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) reached MVR 6.02 billion by June 4, almost 8% above the year before. Green Tax added MVR 1.07 billion. The Departure Tax and Airport Service Charge together brought in MVR 939.7 million, a gain of more than 21%. The numbers climbed across almost every tourism line. The arrivals figure, however, moved the other way. The Maldives welcomed about 924,000 visitors so far in 2026, roughly 4% fewer than at the same point last year. A sharp slump struck in…