Author: Mohamed Reehaan

According to the latest reports from Ministry of Tourism, the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives as of 05th October has reached 890,363. Moreover, the total tourist arrivals to Maldives exclusively from 01st to 05th October stood at 19,501 which is a 521.1% improvement from the same period in 2020, where the arrival count stood at just 3,140. However, when compared with the same period in 2019, the arrival count in the review period is still a negative 15.6% since the arrival total in that corresponding period in 2019 stood at 23,111. India continues to remain as the top tourist…

In commemoration of the ‘World Customer Service Week’ that ran from 04th to 08th October, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has launched their ‘Hinithunvumaa Eku’ campaign. According to the state-owned enterprise, the campaign aims to promote awareness and importance of customer service among the company staff. Moreover, the campaign aims to improve the experience of customers receiving services from MTCC as well as build a stronger rapport between customers and employees of the corporation. During a special ceremony held at MTCC headquarters on Monday, 11th October, the campaign was officiated by the company’s Chief Operating Officer Mr. Shahid Hussain…

The cumulative total of state revenue as of 30th September increased to MVR14,768.0 million (MVR14.8 billion), constraining the gap of budget deficit. As such, Ministry of Finance reported that the overall balance by the final week of the month ended stood at MVR7,137.9 million (MVR7.1 billion), which had earlier stretched to MVR7.9 billion. Meanwhile, the cumulative total of state expenditure as of the review period reached MVR21,815.9 million (MVR21.8 billion). The most significant income receipts were generated from Business Profit Tax, other property tax, rent from resorts along with General Goods and Services Tax (GGST). Furthermore, the cumulative total of…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) on Sunday, 10th October, commemorating the World Mental Health Day, announced their commitment to promote positive mental well-being in the workplace. Moreover, to achieve this the bank will work through partnerships with leading institutions to provide support programs and professional services for employees across the country. In order to promote the initiative, BML has partnered up with Thibaa Psychology, Society for Health Education (SHE) and the Institute of Mental Well-Being (IMWB) to offer regular consultations and counselling programs for the bank’s staff. Furthermore, the bank will cover the cost of individual consultation sessions for employees…

Visit Maldives has launched ‘Redefining MICE’ global campaign in order to promote the island nation as a preferable MICE destination. Moreover, the campaign was launched during a special luncheon held on the sidelines of the MICE India and Luxury Travel (MILT) Congress 2021, held at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Tuesday 05th October. MICE Tourism stands for ‘Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions’ which is a growing tourism trend across the globe which attracts tourists visiting for large-scale meetings and events while the main goal of the tourism concept is to bring together professionals of any given industry and foster connections between…

Authentic Maldives has opened a new outlet of theirs at Kuda Vilingili Resort, which was officially inaugurated by Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom. Furthermore, this marks the fourth outlet of the state initiated souvenir and gifts shop distinct with Maldives culture. Moreover, the Japanese Ambassador to Maldives Ms. Keiko Yanai officiated the ‘Authentic Maldives’ official website at the ceremony as well. Reports confirm the website is powered by the government of Japan under the UNDP Maldives Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Development for SME’s (SEEDS) Projects. In addition to the Minister of Tourism and the Japanese Ambassador to Maldives, other…

State Trading Organization (STO) renews their agreement with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) to supply fuel to Velana International Airport (VIA). According to the agreement, STO will be supplying Aviation Jet-A 1 fuel and marine gas oil to the airport gateway. The signing ceremony was held on Wednesday, 06 October at MACL head office between the Chief Executive of STO Mr. Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashaad and the Chief Executive of MACL Mr. Gordan Andrew Stewart. Moreover, the renewed fuel supplying agreement has been contracted for one year and six months while STO had been a long time supplier of fuel…

The European Union (EU) has removed the Maldives from the list of “non-cooperative” tax jurisdictions list, following significant improvements made by the island nation. Meanwhile, the union had blacklisted 17 other countries as “non-cooperative tax jurisdictions” in their report; “A Fair and Efficient Cooperative Tax System in the European Union” which was issued out on 05th December 2017. Moreover, the list comprises of countries with “fraudulent tax systems” and is compiled by the EU for the purpose of discouraging “rules and regulations that pave ways for large businesses and the rich to evade or avoid tax.” As such, Maldives is…

State Electric Company (STELCO) has announced perhaps its most ambitious plan till date; assembling electric cars for the Maldives market. The announcement was made official at the opening ceremony of the utility company’s new “STEWO” Workshop. The workshop offers various engineering solutions for power system needs. Among the services provided in the workshop include assembly, servicing, cleaning and modification of generators. Moreover, the workshop was inaugurated by the Minister of Economic Development Mr. Fayyaz Ismail and Managing Director of STELCO, Mr. Hassan Mughnee. Speaking at the ceremony, the company’s front-man said that the engineers providing solutions at the STEWO Workshop…

Following much deliberation and discourse, the Minimum Wage Board announced the final lowest wage that will be given to employees. As such, the board declared that the minimum wage of the Maldives will be MVR5,700. However, the lowest salary bracket has yet to be approved by the Ministry of Economic Development. Moreover, as per the minimum wage rate, civil servants will now become eligible for a minimum wage of MVR7,000 per 6 hours of work per day. Meanwhile, employees of the private sector; especially serving in small to medium enterprises are subjected to a salary that should not be below…