Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Taxis heading to Velana International Airport (VIA) have been permitted to stop at the domestic terminal. Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) announced the change will be implemented effective December 11, 2023 to facilitate arrivals and departures using the domestic terminal. Previously, taxis from Male’ City and Hulhumale’ had to stop near the international terminal. Although taxis have been permitted to stop and pickup fares near the domestic terminal, passengers are still required to use the designated taxi pick-up area, consistent with existing practices.

Apple’s latest Apple Watch, the Series 9, is now available on Ooredoo Maldives’ e-commerce platform Moolee. Ooredoo Maldives confirms availability of the two variants of the Series-9. The 42mm variant is priced at MVR 8,750 and the 45mm variant is priced at MVR 9,250. The Cupertino tech giant’s latest Apple Watch Series 9 features the most powerful chip in an Apple Watch so far, and powered by the new dual-core CPU with 5.6 billion transistors, which is 60% more than the S8 chip. The Series 9 also features the Double Tap feature enabling touch-free interaction. The advanced display system in…

Atmosphere Core has recently published the CORE IMPACT report showcasing the group’s ESG initiatives across eight resorts within three brands. Atmosphere Core’s future plans include transforming one its properties to have zero contribution towards landfill waste within the next year. The company has also partnered with Lootah Biofuels in an effort to replace diesel with green biofuels made from used cooking oil. The hospitality group is known for its sustainability initiatives. In 2021, each of the hospitality group’s resorts sourced its own dry goods individually. By July 2023, a total of 60% of all dry goods were being sourced centrally,…

The Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives has appointed its new Managing Director. The State Trading Organization (STO), which is the parent company, said via X, that the Board of Directors of the Group has appointed Hussain Luwaiz as the new Managing Director of Allied. Luwaiz was appointed to helm the largest insurance provider of the Maldives effective from December 10, 2023. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Luwaiz on this significant appointment and anticipate a new era of growth and success under his leadership,” STO said.

The Chinese government has assured to increase flight operations to and investment in the developmental projects in the Maldives. China said it will remain a committed ally to the Maldives in helping the island nation expand its tourism and commerce, according to the Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed. Minister Saeed made the statements via X after several meetings with high-level Chinese officials. He attended the “China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation” along with Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, who led the Maldivian delegation. In his post, the Minister highlighted the assurance given by the Chinese government on increasing…

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has promised to honor his campaign pledge for local fishers, assuring the price per kilogram for fish will not drop below MVR 20. At the “Masveringe Gunzaru” held in commemoration of the Fishers Day, local fishers addressed their concerns to the President. A key concern of the fishers was about the price of fish, which they requested not to drop below MVR 20 per kilo. Tuna and other ocean-dwelling fish are currently sold at MVR 25 per kilogram. This increment was made during the previous government led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Earlier, fish…

The current government has spent MVR 520 million in expenses in their first week in office, while generated an income of MVR 614.5 million. Ministry of Finance reports the majority of the government’s expenditure were concentrated on paying salaries to employees. The government spent MVR 314 million on salaries, wages and pensions of government employees and the operating expenses. Majority of this portion was allocated to subsidies which amounted to MVR 186 million. Moreover, the government spent MVR 206 million on projects, with MVR 185 million of this allocation concentrated on road construction. In the review week, the government collected…

The reclamation project of Fushidhiggaru lagoon has been excluded from the 2023 State Budget by the Maldives parliament. The parliament’s budget committee members convened for a meeting Thursday, December 7, where it was decided to exclude the allocation for Fushidhiggaru lagoon reclamation. Ministry of Finance earlier proposed MVR 400 million on the following year’s budget for the project, though specifications on how the amount would be raised or secured were not provided. The parliament’s budget committee decided on omitting the project from the state budget, and distribute its allocation to other initiatives. The reclamation of Fushidhiggaru lagoon is in line…

State Trading Organization (STO) has reduced the prices of fuel for the third time in 2023. The largest state-owned enterprise (SOE) on Friday, December 8, announced the reduction of fuel prices effective on the date of the announcement. As such price of diesel has been reduced by MVR 0.45 and petrol by MVR 0.40 per liter. Diesel shed price (in MVR) Old Price: 15.07 Reduction: 0.45 New Price: 14.62 Petrol shed price (in MVR) Old Price: 14.73 Reduction: 0.40 New Price: 14.33 While this is the most recent consecutive price reduction of fuel, the last reduction was in June 2023,…

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has appointed nine additional Deputy Ministers to the new administration. This marks the third time President Muizzu’s administration has appointed Deputy Ministers since its inauguration on November 17, 2023. The number of Deputy Ministers across 22 government ministries have now reached 72. Newly appointed Deputy Ministers Ali Janah – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Arif – Deputy Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Uza. Mariyam Shifana Ali Saleem – Deputy Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Hassan Miras – Deputy Minister of Finance Aminath Muna – Deputy Minister of Education Ahmed Maais…