Author: Mohamed Reehaan

UK-born Nelly Robinson, one of the most sought-after chefs in the Australian culinary scene, is set to join the culinary team at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort this September. Robinson enters a long list of high-profile chefs who have been welcomed by InterContinental Maldives over the past years. The star chef is known for his mouthwatering dishes with innovation and local hooks in his well-accolated restaurant ‘NEL’ in Sydney, Australia. Robinson began his culinary ventures at the ripe age of 15, at Mchelin-starred restaurant Northcote Manor in the UK, where he worked under renowned chef Nigel Haworth. At 22, he was…

The cumulative total of Goods and Services Tax (GST) earnings to the government has reached MVR 7,260.2 million (MVR 7.3 billion) as of July 13, 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance, the highest revenue stream to the state is Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), reported at MVR 4,983.8 million (MVR 4.98 billion). General Goods and Services Tax (GGST) total has reached MVR 2,276.4 million (MVR 2.3 billion) by the review date. Meanwhile, the cumulative earnings of Import Duties is nearing MVR 2 billion, and is reported at MVR 1,636.0 million (MVR 1.6 billion). Top Tax Revenues TGST: MVR…

The year-to-date expenditure of the government reached MVR 23,587.2 million (MVR 23.6 billion) as of July 13, 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance in their latest fiscal development report, the government has earned MVR 16,967.0 million (MVR 16.97 billion) by the review date. The state has spent 68% of its budget on recurrent needs, and the remaining 32% on capital needs. On the other hand, state earned 75% of its revenue from tax sources and the remaining 25% from non-tax sources. The overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR 6,620.2 million (MVR 6.6 billion). So far,…

Authentic Maldives, run under the Business Center Corporation (BCC), has announced that it will be expanding its corporate footprint with two new outlets opened outside the Greater Male’ region. BCC’s Head of Outreach, Ibrahim Ziyau confirmed that the corporation is committed to expand its footprint across the Maldives to allow local artisans and craftspeople to showcase and profit from their talent. Ziyau added that BCC was currently in the works to open two new outlets, one in Alifu Alifu atoll Thoddoo and the other in Noonu atoll Maafaru. Before these two, an Authentic Maldives outlet will be opened at the…

Maldives Ministry of Tourism has extended the deadline for the nomination of Maldives Tourism Awards until July 31. The Tourism Awards is conferred to acknowledge milestone achievements, notable contributions, and services of tourism industry stakeholders including individuals, corporations, organizations, and others. The ministry earlier announced that awards will be conferred under 56 distinct categories in the 2023 edition of the awards. A special judging panel has been already formed for the cause. Earlier, the ministry announced nomination deadline until July 16. The announcement and subsequent window for nomination was opened earlier in June. The ministry said it extended the deadline…

The Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Shahid Ali has assured the company’s employees will be able to live in the housing flats developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II by August’s end. According to the head honcho of MPL, all the ongoing works in the three housing towers will be completed by the following month’s end. He made the confirmation on Saturday, July 15. Besides the assurance of possible August handover, MPL CEO also claimed employees will not be charged monthly rent from the flats from the date of their residency until the end of 2023. Right now, the…

The Maldives on Sunday, July 16, welcomed the country’s one millionth tourist arrival for 2023. This year’s millionth arrival was Anton Pavlov, a British national who arrived on British Airways flight BA061 on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, Pavlov and his family was escorted to the event area with a cultural performance and were welcomed by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), and Maldives Immigration. While the Maldives has achieved its millionth arrival target in July this year, it had achieved the target in August last year; indicating…

The national carrier, Maldivian, has announced its decision to increase flights to Noonu atoll Maafaru and Lhaviyani atoll Madivaru. According Island Aviation Services (IAS), the operator of Maldivian Airlines, flights to the routes will increase from July 20 onwards. IAS said that flights to the routes are increasing owing to growing demands to the locations. Direct flights from Male’ to Maafaru and Madivaru and return flights to Male’ are scheduled everyday, added IAS. Maldivian currently operates one direct flight per day to these destinations. Maldivian increases its direct flights to various domestic airports based on the demand, which is the…

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism reports that the island nation will be welcoming its one millionth tourist arrival on Sunday, July 16. According to the ministry, the Maldives is expected to welcome the country’s millionth tourist arrival for the year sometime during Sunday early noon. As is the custom for the Maldives government and the premier tourist board, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) to celebrate such significant arrival milestones, the arrival of the one millionth tourist to the Maldives this year is expected to be celebrated in similar fashion. The Ministry of Tourism reported that the ministry along…

The Raajje-Transport Link (RTL) ferry services began operating in Zone 5 of the second phase of the “Integrated National Public Ferry Network Project”. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), the operator of the RTL service, confirmed commencing the trial period of ferry services in Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls on July 13, 2023. MTCC said that the ferry service will be provided free of charge until Wednesday, July 19. This initiative aims to familiarize customers with the ferry schedule and give them opportunity to experience the service. MTCC hoped that this free-trial period will encourage customers to utilize the…