The State Trading Organization (STO) has announced new measures to expand the availability of essential food items across the Maldives, with particular emphasis on improving access for island communities.

The initiative follows the recent inclusion of 23 additional products in STO’s essential food list. These comprise 10 fruits, 10 vegetables, and three other key items. While the new products are currently available at the STO People’s Choice Supermarket in Malé, the company is establishing new supply chains to enable nationwide distribution.

As part of this effort, STO is preparing to open a new retail outlet in Malé dedicated to supplying fruits and vegetables to the atolls. The outlet, located near Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, where STO’s Makita showroom currently stands, will act as a supply hub. STO has stated that it will offer direct delivery services from this outlet to cargo boats and the harbour area, aiming to simplify logistics for island retailers and residents.

In addition to this new facility, STO plans to utilise its existing infrastructure in the atolls, which includes four distribution centres and 12 retail outlets across different islands.

The company has also announced plans to open a permanent store in Hulhumalé that will stock these essential items. Currently, residents in Hulhumalé only have access to temporary STO fruit and vegetable stalls during Ramadan. The new store, expected to open before next Ramadan, is intended to provide consistent access to these goods for the growing population of the urban island.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the development of L. Kadhdhoo Airport is scheduled to be completed within three years. The statement was made during a meeting with residents of L. Fonadhoo on Monday evening as part of his visit to the inhabited islands of Laamu Atoll.

During the event, several agreements related to infrastructure development in Fonadhoo were formalised, including contracts for a land reclamation and coastal protection project. The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) also formally assumed responsibility for the development and operation of Kadhdhoo Airport.

According to details shared at the meeting, the airport project will involve reclaiming 114 hectares of land for a 2,800-metre runway and an additional 30 hectares to expand Fonadhoo Island, totalling 144 hectares of reclaimed area. The reclamation work is expected to be completed within a year, with the overall project scheduled for completion within 36 months. The President noted that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) facility in the area would remain in place.

The meeting also included the signing of several other development agreements for Fonadhoo, such as the establishment of a Maldives National University (MNU) campus and MNU Language School, the development of a government office complex, a harbour project, a new sports complex, and the third phase of road construction.

The proposed MNU Language School is expected to offer foreign language programmes designed to improve employment prospects in the tourism sector. The sports complex will include seating for 1,200 spectators and facilities for multiple indoor sports, in line with the standards of the Maldives Centre for Social Education (MCSE) in Malé.

Regarding housing, the President said work is underway to contract the construction of the first 100 housing units out of a pledged total of 500 units for Fonadhoo. He also mentioned plans for a 50-bed hospital funded by the Saudi Fund for Development.

In addition, the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is in the process of selecting a contractor for a transhipment harbour that will provide bunkering services.

The President stated that the Government remains focused on supporting economic recovery and plans to meet outstanding payment obligations without monetary expansion. He also said upcoming infrastructure projects would be awarded to private companies, which is expected to contribute to employment and economic activity.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has begun a three-day visit to the inhabited islands of Hadhdhunmathi (Laamu Atoll), where he is scheduled to meet with local councils, Women’s Development Committees (WDCs), and residents.

The visit includes stops at eleven islands: Isdhoo, Kalaidhoo, Dhan’bidhoo, Maabaidhoo, Mundoo, Gan, Maavah, Fonadhoo, Maamendhoo, Hithadhoo, and Kunahandhoo. Discussions are expected to focus on local infrastructure needs, community welfare, and ongoing development projects.

According to the President’s Office, the trip is part of a broader effort to maintain regular contact with atoll, island, and city councils. The President will hear directly from communities about their priorities and challenges, with the aim of identifying areas where government support may be needed.

Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from various government institutions are accompanying the President on the visit.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade introduced a Transition Arrangement for existing foreign investments affected by the newly restricted and closed sectors under the revised Foreign Investment framework.

According to the Ministry, the transitional framework, introduced with the revised framework for investing, aims to support investors impacted by the policy changes, allowing them sufficient time to restructure operations and align with the new entry requirements endorsed by the Cabinet.

The Annex II published by the Ministry outlines the applicable transition periods for existing investments in restricted and closed sectors. It also highlights that the proposed durations and scope were developed following extensive consultations with the Business Council—a body comprising private sector representatives across key industries—as well as with investors and legal experts representing foreign stakeholders.

The Ministry stated that the arrangements are in line with international best practices, ensuring policy credibility while facilitating a smooth transition for affected businesses.

Transition periods will vary based on the sector, project type, and investment scale.

• A one-year transition period will be granted to businesses in General, Cargo, and Passenger Sales Agency, Accounting and Auditing, Service-based businesses, and Wholesale and Retail Trade.
  
• Sectors involving substantial investments, such as sea transport, domestic logistics, and capital-intensive projects, will be granted three to seven years.
  
• Existing residential real estate projects will follow transition timelines as outlined in their respective project agreements.
  

Investors seeking to benefit from the transition period must submit an application via fiu@trade.gov.mv. Applications will undergo a preliminary assessment by the Foreign Investment Unit (FIU), followed by a review by the Transition Committee. The Ministry will then issue a decision specifying the approved continuation period, with investors given the right to appeal for re-evaluation.

Farmers are the backbone of the nation during times of crisis, Minister for Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Fehi Dhirun Expo held on 18 October to mark National Farmers’ Day, World Food Day and World Animal Day, Minister Shareef reflected on the vital role of farmers throughout history. He recalled that during World War II, food shortages affected many countries, but Maldivians were able to sustain themselves thanks to the nation’s rich marine resources and the relentless work of farmers across the islands.

“In this country, it is the farmers who provide the public with the greatest reassurance during times of difficulty. Their work must be recognised and valued,” the Minister said, acknowledging their continued contribution to national resilience.

He further noted that while the Maldives has evolved over the years, challenges such as land shortages persist. However, he highlighted that many farmers across the country continue to maintain productive farms through the use of modern technology.

At the same event, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr Maryam Mariya announced that a dedicated application for farmers, the ‘Dhanduveriyaa’ app, will be launched later this year. She stated that ensuring safe and affordable food for all should remain a national and international priority, noting that the agricultural industry is expanding and plays an increasingly important role in the country’s economy.

Dr Mariya revealed that more than 7,000 farmers are currently active in the Maldives, with women comprising over half of the workforce. She said this growing participation contributes significantly to women’s economic empowerment.

She also underlined the importance of prioritising environmental sustainability and human wellbeing in agricultural practices, pointing to the Maldives Food Agricultural Practice Certification System as the national framework ensuring the safety, quality and sustainability of local produce.

The Minister added that the government is continuing efforts to attract investors to agricultural islands, implement projects that promote island farming, and develop digital tools to collect and analyse agricultural data. She said the beta version of a new mobile application is now being tested and will be made publicly available to farmers later this year.

Dr Mariya commended President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership in ensuring that every island is equipped with land and resources to promote self-sustenance. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting this goal through targeted agricultural initiatives.

The new passenger terminal at HDh. Hanimaadhoo International Airport has officially begun operations, marking a major step forward in the airport’s ongoing redevelopment project.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) confirmed that operations were shifted to the new terminal’s ground floor on Thursday. The move is part of efforts to align the airport’s infrastructure with the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority’s standards, allowing Code C aircraft to use the full length of the new runway. To meet clearance requirements, MACL stated that the old terminal and nearby tall structures will be dismantled.

The government has targeted November 2025 to complete all remaining works and inaugurate the airport. During a visit to Hanimaadhoo in August, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the project, describing the airport’s development as vital to enhancing northern connectivity, tourism, and economic activity.

The redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is being financed under an USD 800 million line of credit from EXIM Bank of India, signed between the Maldivian government and the bank in 2019. The project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects for USD 136.6 million.

Once complete, the project will feature a 2,400-metre runway, a 42,000 square feet apron, a 10,500 square feet passenger terminal, and a 3,800 square feet air traffic control tower, alongside an arm and fuel jetty. The terminal will have the capacity to handle up to 1.3 million passengers annually.

For residents and businesses in the northern atolls, the airport’s expansion carries significant expectations. Despite having numerous resorts and guesthouses, the region’s tourism potential has long been constrained by high domestic airfare and heavy reliance on travel via Malé. A direct gateway through Hanimaadhoo is seen as a key step towards unlocking the economic opportunities of the north.