Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Ooredoo Maldives’ e-commerce platform Moolee has begun offering Huawei’s Watch Buds. The Huawei Watch Buds couples smartwatch technology and earbuds, integrates their charging through the same device. The pop-up cover of the Huawei Watch opens with a gentle nudge, and a first-ever attachable magnetic design fuses earbuds. The watch comes with a 3D curved glass exterior, which is “seamlessly imbedded” into the 1300 degrees Celsius refined steel body with 710 Clous de Paris ornaments on the button and watch crown. As part introducing the new product in Moolee’s catalog, it has made a limited duration offer of MVR 6,999 for…

The flagship carrier of the Maldives; Maldivian has invited interested parties to submit proposals to rent five ATR aircraft. The news follows Maldivian’s recent ATR inclusion into its fleet as part the airline’s major overhaul efforts. The overhaul efforts will see Maldivian replacing its ageing Dash-8 planes with the more modern ATR alternatives. Maldivian, in an announcement made on Sunday, 16th April 2023, stated it was looking to rent five ATR 42-600s. The planes are being sought for a duration between 6 and 12 years. Out of the five, three will be brought in under an operating lease arrangement. Maldivian…

The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (MNPHI) said that the contractor of Thilamale’ Bridge has begun installing bridge decks. According to the ministry, Afcons Infrastructure, the Indian-based contractor for the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives till date, has begun installing the decks on the pillars situated in the lagoon just outside of Male’ City’s western end. The contractor has already completed a majority portion of installing the bridge pillars in the location. The bridge’s superstructure works are carried at the main project site located in Gulhifalhu; which is one of the islands that will be connected to…

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has begun seeking an agency to recruit expatriate crew members for its fishing vessels. According to MIFCO, it was seeking foreign workers specifically from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Indonesia to work on the vessels. The corporation invited interested recruitment agencies to submit the relevant application on Thursday, last week. MIFCO’s announcement seeking expats followed is recent acquisition of a new fishing vessel named ‘Jazeera 103’ which was added to the fleet two weeks before. The fisheries corporation said it was seeking foreign crew members due to difficulty in recruiting locals for the vessels.

The Auditor General’s Office report has revealed that the Maldives government paid Indian firm Noor Islamic International Private Limited (NII) a total of MVR 29 million (USD 1.8 million) after the agreement with the company was terminated by the state. NII was contracted to manage HDh. Kulhudhuffushi’s regional hospital during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration in 2017. The company was contracted to manage Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (KRH) for a period of 50 years. The AGO’s report detailing the bills NII had sent while managing the hospital showed that the current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih led administration terminated the contract on…

The Maldives State Shipping (MSS), a state-owned enterprise created to conduct nationwide shipping and logistical operations, has facilitated transport of goods from any destination. Speaking with PSM News of the Public Service Media, the Executive Director of MSS Mohamed Nazim claimed that businesses can now request to bring their goods from any destination, adding that the enterprise has begun handling shipments via freight forwarding from countries that do not possess MSS containers. MSS regularly transport goods from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Kuwait, Indonesia, and China. According to Nazim, MSS currently handles between 50% to 60% of…

The Maldives government has temporarily halted leasing of any uninhabited islands in the country. The Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture, tasked with approving lease applications of uninhabited islands, said that the decision was made to implement amendments to the lease regulations. Back in November 2022, the Maldives Parliament passed the amendment bill to the Regulation on Uninhabited Islands of the Maldives with 53 yes votes. The amendment bill aimed at improving the existing regulations which conflict with the amendments of the Decentralization Act. The bill proposed to amend 13 articles and grant local councils with discretion to lease…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) on Wednesday, 12th April, announced a new promotion for its Mastercard cardholders. Under the promotion, BML is offering an all-inclusive trip for two to watch the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey. Customers using Mastercard for local and international transactions from 12th April to 09th May 2023 will be eligible to win. BML is a principal member of Mastercard in the Maldives and issues Mastercard debit, credit and prepaid cards. Mastercard is the official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.

The Shapoorji Pallonji Group, controlled by billionaire Shapoor Mistry, is weighing its asset sales including a controlling stake in its flagship engineering firm that could raise USD2 billion. The company is reportedly acquiring advisor support to seek a buyer for its holdings in Afcons Infrastructure Ltd; a Mumbai-based infrastructure company. According to inside sources, the group is looking to sell some ports. Though not disclosed in full details, the Gopalpur Port on the east coast of India could be among the assets SP Group is looking to sell. Considerations are still at an early stage and SP Group may decide…

Atmosphere Core, a new identity for the registered Atmosphere Core Private Limited, has unveiled its third brand – the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. Shifting from its actual company name, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts will pave way for “refreshingly different destinations in South Asia” all the while the company blends its footprint in the Maldives, said the company. Considered among one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in South Asia, Atmosphere Core capitalizes on its “experience to stay ahead of competition through and innovative approach.” The hotelier brand already runs notable properties in the Maldives under three of its distinct brands…