VIA’s New Terminal: A Grand Stage for a Nation’s Next Act

Report July 24, 2025

On 26 July 2025, the Maldives will mark its 60th Independence Day with more than just pageantry. At the edge of Hulhulé Island, beside an airstrip once hand-paved by volunteers in 1966, a new terminal will open its doors, not just to tourists, but to a new chapter in the country’s economic story. It...

Global Shift to ‘Frontier Firms’ Signals Rethink in How Maldivian Companies Might Scale

Business July 24, 2025

A global transformation is underway in how companies structure work, manage teams, and scale their operations. According to the 2025 Work Trend Index released by Microsoft, this year marks the rise of what the report calls the “Frontier Firm”, an organisation designed to operate at the edge of productivity and agility by combining new systems of work...

Dhiraagu Launches HotDeals for Easy Access to Exclusive Offers

Business July 24, 2025

Dhiraagu has launched a new feature called HotDeals, aimed at providing customers with convenient access to a selection of exclusive offers via a simple USSD code. By dialling *225# on their mobile devices, both Postpaid and Prepaid users can now explore a curated list of promotions tailored to enhance their mobile experience. These deals include...

Does Pay Transparency Have a Role in Achieving Pay Equity in the Maldives?

Business July 24, 2025

Pay equity has long been an aspiration for many economies. In recent years, the concept of pay transparency has gained momentum as a potential lever for closing wage gaps. But can making salaries more visible lead to a fairer pay structure in the Maldives? In global contexts, pay transparency has been linked to shrinking...

PM Modi Calls Maldives Visit an Honour, Signals Intent to Deepen Bilateral Ties

Foreign Policy July 24, 2025

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed that he will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from 25 to 26 July, during which he will take part in the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations and hold official talks with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “I am...

Economic Infrastructure Projects Announced During President’s Visit to Noonu Atoll

Government July 24, 2025

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent tour of South Miladhunmadulu Atoll included several announcements tied to economic infrastructure and local development, with updates focusing on transport access, land use, fisheries, and public utilities. In Velidhoo, the President confirmed plans to establish a seaplane platform, expected to be operational by January 2026. This is intended to...

New Coral Garden Project Aims to Revive Hulhumalé’s Urban Reef

Government July 23, 2025

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has launched a coral restoration effort in the Channel Park of Hulhumalé Phase I, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI). The initiative, titled the ‘Coral Garden Project’, was officially launched on Tuesday and is designed to restore and enhance marine biodiversity in the area.

Vice President Welcomes Saudi Ambassador in Courtesy Call to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Foreign Policy July 23, 2025

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, His Excellency Yahya Hassan Alqahtani, met with Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef at the President’s Office earlier today, in a meeting that reaffirmed the close diplomatic ties between the two countries. The courtesy call provided an opportunity for both sides to reflect...

Universal Foundation Celebrates New Milestone in Hospitality and Culinary Training

Hospitality July 23, 2025

Universal Foundation and Villa College have marked a major milestone in their efforts to build local capacity in the Maldivian tourism industry, hosting a ceremony on 21 July 2025 to celebrate the graduation of the latest cohorts of their flagship training programmes. Held at the Islamic Centre Hall in Malé, the event recognised the...

New VIA Terminal Fully Ready for Launch, Says MACL Deputy MD

Government July 23, 2025

Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Mohammed Lamaan, has confirmed the fulfilment of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to complete and open the New Passenger Terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA). Speaking yesterday, Deputy MD Lamaan stated, “President Muizzu’s most significant commitment has been fully realised,” referring to the successful completion...

India and Maldives Discuss Free Trade Pact Ahead of Modi’s Visit

Foreign Policy July 23, 2025

India and the Maldives are currently in discussions to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), alongside a broader investment treaty, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties. The development comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Malé, where he is set to attend the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations...

Japan Donates USD 5.4 Million in Equipment to Improve Waste Management in Maldives

Foreign Policy July 23, 2025

The Government of Japan has officially handed over equipment worth approximately USD 5.4 million to support the Maldives in strengthening its waste management operations, marking another step in the bilateral partnership between the two countries. At a ceremony held in Malé, the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko, handed over...

Maldives Government Opens Subscription for MVR 1.39 Billion in Treasury Bills

Government July 22, 2025

The Ministry of Finance has issued an invitation to subscribe to MVR-denominated Treasury Bills (T-Bills), offering a total of MVR 1.39 billion in short- and medium-term government securities. The T-Bill sale is scheduled for 29 July 2025, with settlement also set for the same day. According to the invitation (TB-2025-014), the government is offering...

Maldivian Launches Direct Umrah Flights to Jeddah

News July 22, 2025

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has launched a series of direct flights to Jeddah this month, aimed at easing travel for Maldivian pilgrims performing Umrah. A total of three non-stop flights will be operated in July, transporting more than 750 passengers directly to Saudi Arabia. The first of these flights is scheduled...

MMA Increases Dollar Allocation to Banks to Improve SME Access

Government July 22, 2025

The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has announced a 10 percent increase in the amount of US dollars allocated to local banks for commercial transactions, including Telegraphic Transfers (TT) and Letters of Credit (LC) used for import payments. The move, which took effect this week, is aimed at easing access to foreign currency for small and medium-sized enterprises...

Airport Upgrades, Housing, and Transport Projects Announced During Presidential Tour

Government July 22, 2025

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing tour of South Miladhunmadulu Atoll has centred on major economic and infrastructure-related developments, with announcements spanning housing, transport connectivity, public services, and regional investment priorities. As part of his commitment to engage directly with communities, the President is visiting 13 inhabited islands across the atoll. Cabinet Ministers and senior...

INTERPOL Conducts Crypto Crime Workshop for Maldivian Agencies

Law July 22, 2025

A two-day training programme led by INTERPOL has equipped Maldivian law enforcement and financial regulators with specialised knowledge to address the growing threat of cryptocurrency-related crime. Held from 20 to 21 July in Malé, the sessions brought together 28 officials from the Maldives Police Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the...

MACL Highlights Workplace Inclusion Ahead of Terminal Launch

Government July 22, 2025

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has conducted a dedicated information session for hearing-impaired employees, ensuring they are fully briefed on the operations of the soon-to-open New Passenger Terminal at Velana International Airport. The session was attended by 16 MACL employees with hearing impairments, who were welcomed by CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed....

Ooredoo Maldives Launches *929# SuperDeals for All Customers

Business July 21, 2025

Ooredoo Maldives has launched a new campaign titled *929# SuperDeals, aimed at delivering personalised benefits to customers across its prepaid, postpaid, and SuperNet services. The initiative provides users with instant access to bonus data packages, special discounts, and curated gifts by simply dialling *929# on any Ooredoo-powered device. The campaign is universally accessible, with...

Economic Ministry Opens Doors for Local Businesses to Attend Asia Berlin Summit

News July 21, 2025

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has announced an opportunity for Maldivian businesses to participate in the Asia Berlin Summit, to be held in Berlin, Germany, from 24 to 28 November 2025. The Ministry stated that the German government extended the invitation through the Maldives Embassy in Berlin, opening the door for Maldivian...

Climate as Foreign Policy: Why Environmental Diplomacy Is the Maldives’ Strongest Card

Foreign Policy July 21, 2025

For a nation spread across just over a metre of land above sea level, climate change is less an abstract issue than an existential threat. The Maldives sits increasingly at risk from rising tides, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and intensifying storms. Yet, this vulnerability has given the nation a powerful role on the global stage, transforming climate...

Investors Receive Second Annual Return from MPL’s 7% Fixed Income Bond

Business July 21, 2025

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has successfully completed the second annual coupon distribution for its fixed income bond, with MVR 3.5 million disbursed to investors on 3 July 2025. The payment covers the period from 4 July 2024 to 4 July 2025. This timely disbursement reflects MPL’s continued commitment to honouring its financial obligations under...

Maldives and India Reiterate Commitment to Strong Partnership Ahead of PM Visit

Foreign Policy July 21, 2025

The Vice President of the Maldives, Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, received the High Commissioner of India, His Excellency G. Balasubramanian, for a courtesy call at the President’s Office earlier today. The meeting served to reaffirm the enduring partnership between the Maldives and India, rooted in mutual respect and longstanding cooperation. Both parties reflected on...

Cabinet Approves Sale of Government Stake in SDFC to Bank of Maldives

Government July 21, 2025

The Government has approved the sale of its stake in the SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) to the Bank of Maldives (BML), a move presented as a strategy to streamline SME financing. However, the decision marks a sharp departure from the original rationale for establishing SDFC in the first place. The Cabinet’s decision followed...