Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Japan has delivered a major boost to the Maldives’ disaster response capabilities. The Government of Japan on Sunday, April 26, donated equipment worth USD 4.3 million to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), sharpening the country’s frontline defenses against fires and floods. Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko, formally handed over the donation at a ceremony held on Sunday. NDMA Chief Executive Officer Hisan Hassan accepted the equipment on behalf of the authority. The donation falls under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, a long-running channel for Tokyo’s overseas assistance. The package includes fire pumps, water pumps, and…

The Maldivian government has identified the transition to renewable energy as a top policy priority. Deputy Minister of Finance Ahmed Saaid Mustafa confirmed that the administration aims to shift 33% of the country’s total energy consumption to renewable sources. Public Demand Drives Push for Leather Government Speaking to a state media outlet, Deputy Minister Saaid noted that the public has consistently called for a more efficient government. Citizens want the state to manage its affairs without placing unnecessary financial pressure on the country. Saaid pointed out that electricity generation represents the single largest expenditure on the state’s books. Subsidies Absorb…

MindCo and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare jointly hosted a consultative session last Thursday to mark Girls in ICT Day 2026. The session aimed to introduce women to digital economy opportunities. It also sought to boost the participation of women and girls in the ICT sector. Girls in ICT Day is an international observance. It encourages girls to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technology. Open Consultation Brings Together Key Stakeholders The open consultation took place at the Umar Zahir Building in Hulhumalé. Organizers held the session under the them “Girls Go Digital – Co-Creating P6, P7, P8.”…

Allied Insurance has rolled out a new social media campaign called ‘Share the Run’ rewarding its online followers ahead of the highly anticipated Allied hulhumalé Run 2026. The insurer designed the giveaway to thank its growing Instagram community for its consistent engagement and support. Apple AirPods Pro 3 Up for Grabs One follower will walk away with a brand-new pair of Apple AirPods Pro 3. Furthermore, participation requires nothing more than an active Instagram account and a few seconds of effort. The campaign runs from 20 April to 23 May 2026, giving entrants over a month to take part. How…

The Maldives has quietly crossed a major milestone in its most ambitious urban expansion of the decade. Dredgers at Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu have now pumped up 504 hectares of new land, more than half of the planned footprint of Rasmalé, the next-generation city rising next to Malé. A New City, Already Bigger Than Hulhumalé Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, revealed the latest figures at a press conference today. He framed the scale in terms every Maldivian can picture instantly. “The 504 hectares reclaimed so far roughly equals the combined area of Hulhumalé Phase 1 and Phase…

India has cleared a fresh USD 319 million (INR 30 billion) disbursement to the Maldives, delivering a timely liquidity boost just as the previous swap window closes. Moreover, the move signals that New Delhi intends to keep Malé’s external buffers intact through a turbulent global cycle. A Well-Timed Lifeline The High Commission of India in Malé confirmed the release in a press statement issued on Thursday evening. The funds flow under the first phase of the Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC Countries. The underlying agreement dates back to October 2024. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu signed it with the…

In one of the most candid admissions by a sitting Maldivian minister on the state of the country’s reclamation pipeline, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib disclosed this week that of all the islands and lagoons reclaimed across the archipelago since 2010, only two have actually been put to productive use. Every other reclaimed parcel, including high-profile sites in the Greater Malé region and across the outer atolls, remains effectively stranded: dry land on a map, but without the water, sewerage, electricity, or road networks needed to make it livable or investable. Speaking at a press conference…

The State Trading Organization (STO), the Maldives’ largest listed state-owned enterprise, on 22 April 2206 published a first-quarter scorecard that immediately re-set the baseline for what a “good quarter” looks like for the company. Metric (Q1 2026) Total Revenue: MVR 5.5 billion | +33% QoQ Gross Profit: MVR 785 million | +17% QoQ Operating Profit: MVR 368 million | +14% QoQ Net Profit Before Tax: MVR 331 million | +20% QoQ Net Profit After Tax: MVR 276 million | +13% QoQ The revenue print is the highest single-quarter top-line in STO’s 62-year history, eclipsing the MVR 4.9 billion peak recorded…

Bank of Maldives (BML) has firmly denied rumours that it has quietly raised BML e-commerce fees on online transactions. Specifically, the bank confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, that it has not introduced any new charges beyond those already publicly announced. Addressing the Rumours Head-On A wave of claims on social media recently alleged that BML had added extra charges on online debit card transactions across various e-commerce platforms. Consequently, the bank moved quickly to set the record straight. BML spokesperson Mohamed Saeed addressed the allegations directly. He confirmed that no new fees have taken effect since July 1 last year.…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) has pushed back on growing speculation about its US dollar allocations for Telegraphic Transfers (TT). Specifically, the bank has clarified that it has neither cut the volume nor reduced the frequency for BML TT allocation for businesses. Instead, BML has tightened its procedures to ensure a fairer, more orderly process. Setting the Record Straight BML CEO Mohamed Shareef addressed the issue at a press conference today. Notably, his remarks responded to recent criticism on social media and across various news platforms regarding constraints on USD access for the business community. Shareef confirmed that the underlying…