Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Maldivian government spending on grants and subsidies has climbed to USD 524 million so far this year, a 44 percent increase on the USD 363 million paid out over the same period in 2025, as the war-driven rise in world fuel prices feeds through to the cost of keeping the lights on. The figures, current to 13 August, come from the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises’ Weekly Fiscal Report. The ministry attributed the bulk of the increase to fuel prices pushed higher by the conflict in the Middle East, which has inflated the cost of subsidizing the diesel that…
MALÉ – The Maldives’ state-owned water utility expects to begin work by the middle of next year on a desalination plant that will sit 500 meters beneath the surface of the sea, in what would be one of the first commercial deployments of the technology anywhere in the world. Hussain Fahmy, Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), said the company had already signed an agreement with a Norwegian partner and was now running feasibility, technical and environmental studies. He was speaking on “Ahaashey Bunaanan”, a programme produced jointly by Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu and Television Maldives. Fahmy said…
STO has launched GE Healthcare’s Vscan portable ultrasound scanner in the Maldives. STO Chief Executive and Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim launched the device at a ceremony at Hotel Jen on Tuesday night. Jagdish Babu, GE Healthcare’s Sales Head for South Asia, attended the launch. The Vscan is a handheld unit that connects to iPhones, Android phones and laptops. It produces images in standard DICOM format, which allows clinicians to share scans with hospitals and specialists elsewhere in the country. STO’s healthcare team expects the device to extend scanning services beyond clinic consultation rooms. The company says the format suits the…
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has approved sweeping Foreign Exchange Act amendments that criminalize the sale and advertising of US dollars at rates outside the bands set by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). Members passed the bill by a majority of those present. The committee had received it back for a second review before the vote. What the Fines Look Like The revised law builds a tiered penalty structure, and it expressed every figure in US dollars rather than Rufiyaa. Anyone who sells foreign currency outside the official MMA bands faces a fine of USD 1,620 to USD 64,800. The…
Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives fielded two speakers at the Construction Industry Forum 2026, held Tuesday at Grand Parkside. The insurer signed on as official insurance partner for the event. The forum drew industry professionals and stakeholders from across the construction sector. Delegates worked through the developments, pressures and openings shaping the industry. Supply Chains Take Center Stage Hussain Sawaad, Manager of Customer Service, joined the panel on “Re-engineering Supply Chains in an Age of Global Conflict.” The session tackled a problem every contractor now recognizes. Global disruption stretches delivery timelines. Costs move without warning. Panelists pressed the case…
Three Soneva resorts in the Maldives have secured placed on Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Edge List, adding another international recognition for the country’s luxury tourism sector. Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret were all selected for this year’s list, which highlights luxury travel experiences that encourage guests to explore destinations beyond conventional itineraries. Now in its second year, the Edge List carries the theme “Curated Journeys” for 2026. Forbes Travel Guide said this year’s selection focuses on hotels and cruises that create distinctive journeys around the culture, natural environment and character of their destinations. Soneva Fushi, located in the…
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has nominated Jameela Ali Khalid as the Maldives’ Ambassador to the United Kingdom and submitted her name to Parliament for approval. The President forwarded the nomination in line with the Maldives Foreign Service Act, which requires parliamentary approval for the appointment of ambassadors and non-resident ambassadors. Parliament has now sent Jameela’s nomination to the Foreign Relations Committee for review. Once the committee completes its assessment, lawmakers will vote on whether to approve her appointment. The position became vacant after President Muizzu appointed the former Ambassador to the UK, Iruthisham Adam, as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Jameela…
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has identified the relocation of the Malé and Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi as the government’s largest and highest-priority development project, describing the initiative as a major investment expected to significantly strengthen the Maldivian economy. Speaking on The Pulse podcast series, President Muizzu said work on the project is progressing with the involvement of relevant stakeholders, with the government targeting November 11 next year for the opening of the new facility. The relocation of the country’s main commercial port is one of the administration’s key economic commitments and is expected to address the longstanding capacity and space…
More than 50 youth-led businesses and food ventures participated in the Youth Expo held at Hulhumalé Central Park this week. The expo provided young entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their products, promote their businesses and connect with potential customers. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, the three-day expo ran from August 12 to 14 as part of activities marking International Youth Day. The event was open daily from 16:00hrs to 23:00hrs. Maldivians between the ages of 18 and 35 were offered stalls at the venue free of charge, lowering the cost of participation for young…
The government has cautioned against imposing broad restrictions on online education, warning that such measures could limit access to higher education and undermine opportunities for Maldivians living outside major population centers. State Minister for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Ahmed Shafeeu made the remarks during a meeting with Parliamentary Secondary Legislation Committee, where the regulation and future of online and blended learning were discussed. Shafeeu said completely restricting online learning would be counterproductive, particularly given the geographical realities of the Maldives. With communities dispersed across numerous islands and physical higher education institutions concentrated in a limited number of locations,…