Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has officially commenced services of Raajje Transport Link (RTL) in Haa Dhaal atoll on Sunday, 12th June. The RTL services falls under MTCC’s nationwide Integrated National Public Ferry Network (INPFN) project which will see the island nation’s residential atolls linked via high-speed ferries. Under the first phase of the project MTCC will reportedly launch services in the three northernmost atolls; Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani out of which the transport and contracting company launched services in Haa Dhaal atoll first. The RTL ferry service will operate between 13 residential islands of Haa Dhaal…
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has reportedly concluded the installation of solar power panels at Alif Alif atoll Bodufulhadhoo powerhouse. In addition to this, the utility provider recently confirmed completing the installation of electricity cables in the picnic island of Kudagiri in Male’ atoll. STELCO installed a total of 3,000 meters of electrical cables under the project. The solar power panel installation in Bodufulhadhoo powerhouse falls under the state administration’s pledge on reducing fuel-dependency for electricity production and the subsequent promotion of renewable energy resources in the Maldives. STELCO has recently affirmed its commitment towards increasing renewable energy options across…
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has commenced installation of electricity on the housing towers developed by the utility company in Hulhumale’ Phase II. The decision for STELCO stepping up on electricity installation instead of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was confirmed on 05th June. STELCO moved ahead with the decision due to the delay on HDC’s part. Following the utility company board’s decision, STELCO is currently installing a transformer network in the housing towers to power the structures. Moreover, STELCO had decided to expedite electricity installation to ensure their housing structures were hospitable by the coming July where the utility provider…
Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) revealed that the state earned a total of MVR1.28 billion of revenue in May 2022. Out of the total revenue earned to the state, 53.47 million were collected in foreign currencies. The government revenue collection had observed a 63.0% increment when compared to the same period in 2021, owing to the increment tourism related revenues such as TGST, Green Tax and airport taxes and fees. Furthermore, state earnings for the review month increased by 12.8% compared to initial projections mainly due to the significant increase in GGST, TGST as well as non-resident withholding tax. State…
Bangkok Airways recently announced its plans to resume flight operations to the Maldives on 22nd July 2022. The Thailand regional airline will reportedly restart its operations from Suvarnabhumi Airport and operate between Velana International Airport (VIA). Furthermore, the airline will have four scheduled flights to the island nation on a weekly basis. Bangkok Airways will operate two of its Airbus A319 aircraft for the route. In addition to this Bangkok Airways announced its plan to resume several of its popular domestic and international routes by the third quarter of 2022. The airline further reported that its flights to the Maldives…
The latest update from Ministry of Tourism reveal that the total number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives has reached 732,884 as of 08th June 2022. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals in annual terms increased by 56.5% compared to the same period in 2021 during which tourist arrivals stood at just 468,387. Despite strong improvement in 2022 compared to 2021, the tourist arrivals in annual terms was still 6.2% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019 during which the tourist arrival total stood at 780,931. From 01st until 08th June, the total tourist arrivals in 2022 reached 30,562 observing a staggering 118.2% improvement over…
Bank of Maldives (BML) celebrated the World Oceans Day by collaborating with local dive schools to provide introductory Discover Dives for children with disabilities. In the initiative, a total of 18 participants from Maldives Association for Person with Disabilities and Autism Association joined the dive. According to the bank, the main aim of the initiative was to provide “children with disabilities an opportunity to experience the ocean through scuba diving, which is proven to be both therapeutic and rehabilitative.” The effort was carried out with the collaboration of locally renowned dive centers Divers Lodge, Dive Club and Moodhu Bulhaa Dive…
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday assured on the country’s prospering economy. While noting that the country’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to surpass MVR100 billion in 2023, the Maldivian statesman assured that the country’s economic recovery was apace. Moreover, President Solih claimed that the government revenue for the state was expected at MVR8.5 billion for the first five months in 2022, which had however exceeded expectations by hitting MVR11.1 billion during the period. Although the country’s economy was recovering at brisk pace, President Solih warned about the persisting international geopolitical tensions; specifically the unpleasant clash between…
Maldives has been nominated for the World MICE Awards, a prestigious award program to foster growth, innovation and international best practices. The island nation has in recent years promoted its various avenues for MICE tourism niche. The MICE tourism which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions is a fast growing section in the international tourism market which caters to several forms of business meetings, events and exhibitions as well as conferences. Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country’s state-backed tourism promoter which has been at the forefront of promoting MICE tourism in the island nation had recently…
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has denied the rumors of Russian national carrier Aeroflot suspending its direct flight operations to the Maldives. Moreover, the rumors were reported less than a month after the Russian flagship carrier recommenced its operations to the island nation. The reports followed after it was confirmed that Aeroflot will be suspending its operations to Sri Lanka. The airline discontinued its direct flight operations to the Sri Lanka after one of its flights were grounded by Lankan authorities. According to Aeroflot, the flight will remain under the custody of Lankan authorities until 16th June; which was detained…