Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives is set to launch a new domestic flight under the South Connectivity Initiative. Under this initiative, Maldivian will operate flights connecting Gan International Airport (GAN) in Addu atoll and Kooddoo Airport (GKK) in Huvadhoo atoll, twice weekly starting from October 29, 2024. The South Connectivity is an initiative led by the Maldives government in collaboration with the national airline, Addu International Airport, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and the Ministry of Tourism. The aim of the initiative is to deliver enhanced tourism connectivity and commercial…
The Maldives government has settled MVR 871 million in loan repayments within the last three months, the ruling party’s campaign spokesperson Heena Waleed said on Tuesday. According to the spokesperson, the current government inherited a total of MVR 318 million in outstanding loans from the previous administration. She added that the current state has already spent MVR 1.1 billion on Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP). While highlighting several projects commenced during the previous administration lacked proper planning and foresight, Heena said that majority of these projects have been interrupted. Heena however, affirmed the current government was working on restarting the…
World Bank has revised and reduced the economic growth project for the Maldives in light of new data. The bank in its South Asian Development Update (SADU) highlighted tourists visiting Maldives are now opting more for lower-cost guesthouses instead of luxury and expensive resorts. Although tourism industry businesses report tourist arrival increment, they have observed the shift in traveler trend as guests opt cheaper tourism accommodations; especially post the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. World Bank also projected an output growth of 4.7% for the Maldives, a reduction from the previous 5.2%. The bank further said the economic condition became prevalent…
Local vendors report the prices of watermelon and coconut have shot up in the local market. According to vendors and sellers focusing on perishables, watermelon is now sold at MVR 30 per kilogram, coconuts are sold at MVR 70 per piece. Smaller coconuts are sold at MVR 35 per piece. Additionally, prepared coconut drinks are now sold at MVR 180 per bottle. The prices of these items have increased owing to their scarcity in the local market, since watermelon was previously sold at MVR 18 per kilogram. Moreover, vendors further inform the lack of availability of fresh watermelon from Alifu…
The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has raised concerns over possible lack of over-time allowance for health workers in light of the new pay framework. After the government announced the last 10 days of Ramadan as a holiday period, it said that employees or workers requiring to come out for their professional duties due to the nature of their work, will be subject to a special allowance. In response to this, MHPU said that health industry workers and medical professionals were forced to work beyond the usual working hours, without over-time pay, in violation to the new pay framework that…
Sun Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd (“Sun”) has fully paid the arbitration awarded by Singapore arbitration to Hilton International Manage (Maldives) Pvt Ltd (“Hilton”) in relation to Sun’s termination of the Hotel Management Agreement dated February 27, 2009. According to Sun, it paid the total sum of USD 31,252,874.46 to Hilton, and additionally incurred another USD 5 million as costs of lawyers and experts in the arbitration proceedings. Irufushi Resort, located on Medhafushi in Noonu atoll was developed into a 221-room, 5-star property by Sun, and opened its doors officially to the guests in August 2008. By the end of…
Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has cleared over 2,200 containers from March 21 to March 31, 2024. According to the authority, it had cleared a total of 2,218 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) during the last 10 days of the previous month. The total clearance include 922 units of 20-footers and 648 units of 40-footers. The top cleared items during this period include eggs, watermelon, and potatoes among other items. Top Cleared Items Eggs – 19,715 cartons Watermelon – 15,059 bags Potatoes – 6,908 bags Tomatoes – 5,584 crates Cabbage – 4,586 bags The top cleared items reflect the demand trend of…
Bank of Maldives (BML) on Sunday, enabled transactions on previously blocked foreign merchants including selected money transfer platforms and digital wallets. Customers can use the following cards to “seamlessly send and receive funds” from selected online foreign money transfer platforms, and digital wallets; BML Visa USD Credit Card Mastercard Prepaid USD Travel Card BML Debit Cards with USD account as the card’s primary account (to send funds only) “We understand the importance of supporting freelancers and small merchants who rely on payments received from overseas for their livelihoods and well-being and we are delighted to enable this for our customers…
The total tourist arrivals as of March 27, 2024 has reached close to hitting the 600,000 arrival mark. According to the Ministry of Tourism, total tourist arrivals as of the review date reached 576,952, which is 14.2% up from the same period last year; during which arrivals stood at 505,083. China maintains unwavering dominance with over 64,000 arrivals while Russia is inching close to the topper with close to 60,000 arrivals. While Italy started the year as the top source market, it is the third strongest with a little over 54,000 arrivals. Top 10 Markets China: 64,834 Russia: 59,679 Italy:…
Ooredoo Maldives announces its customers can now make Zakat payments via m-Faisaa service. Customers can select m-Faisaa service after downloading Ooredoo’s app, and by pressing on the Zakat tab. Customers will be required to input the amount and type of Zakat they prefer to pay, after which they will have to enter the wallet number in m-Faisaa. According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the eligible period for this year’s Zakat is from March 11 to April 6, 2024.