Airlines Raise Fares as Maldives Airport Taxes Increase
International airlines operating in the Maldives are adjusting ticket prices upwards in response to the government’s recent airport tax hike.
Ace Aviation Service Maldives, the local representative of SriLankan Airlines, announced fare increases effective from 1 December. Passengers departing from Velana International Airport and Gan International Airport will see higher costs. Economy-class tickets for...
Mastercard collaborates with Orca Media Group to enhance brand presence in Maldives
Mastercard has collaborated with Orca Media Group, a leading media and marketing company in the Maldives, to enhance its brand presence through tailored marketing initiatives, including the introduction of the iconic ‘Priceless’ program.
Through this collaboration, Mastercard will leverage Orca Media Group’s expertise in public relations, digital media, and integrated marketing strategies to connect...
India Investigates Alleged Sugar Smuggling in Shipments to Maldives
The Indian government has launched an investigation into the suspected illegal smuggling of 70 tonnes of sugar intended for the Maldives under a special export agreement. The inquiry is being conducted by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which operates under India’s Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The case involves sugar that was part...
Vice President Launches Maldives MSME Awards 2025, Emphasises Role of SMEs in Economic Growth
Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an innovative economy as a key component of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision for national development. Speaking at the inauguration of the Maldives MSME Awards 2025, organised by the Business Centre Corporation (BCC), the Vice President highlighted the indispensable role of micro, small, and...
Maldives Tightens Tobacco Regulations with New Amendments
The Health Ministry has announced amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, introducing significant changes to regulate tobacco and related products in the Maldives. These amendments include a ban on the use, sale, and distribution of vaping devices and associated products, effective from 15 December. They also introduce a licensing requirement for businesses involved in the tobacco trade...
Dhiraagu’s ‘Win a Speedboat’ Promotion Continues with Monthly Giveaways
Dhiraagu’s ongoing ‘Win a Speedboat’ promotion is offering its customers more chances to win exciting prizes through monthly giveaways. This initiative, which allows participants to win a brand-new Al Shaali Marine Magellan 32 speedboat equipped with two 175HP Yamaha outboard engines, continues to engage customers with additional rewards.
As part of the promotion, Dhiraagu...
Maldives and India Sign Agreement to Facilitate Local Currency Transactions
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai to promote the use of local currencies, the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) and the Indian Rupee (INR), for cross-border transactions. Signed by MMA Governor Ahmed Munawar and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the agreement aims to enhance trade...
Report: Maldives Grapples with Dollar Crisis as Public Debt Surpasses MVR 135 Billion
The Maldives is facing a severe dollar crisis that has ignited intense discussions among government officials, business leaders, and citizens. The escalating situation has raised critical questions about how the nation arrived at this point, who bears responsibility, and what measures are necessary to navigate out of this economic quagmire.
An Escalating Crisis...
Budget Committee Approves 2025 Budget with Enhanced Oversight Conditions
The Budget Committee of Parliament has approved the proposed 2025 budget, incorporating amendments aimed at increasing transparency and fiscal accountability. The decision was made during a meeting on Wednesday, with 15 out of 19 committee members voting in favour of the amended budget.
Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim (PNC) introduced several proposals focused on improving...
Ministry of Fisheries Launches Work on 25-Year Fisheries Masterplan
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has commenced efforts to develop a 25-year masterplan aimed at guiding the sustainable growth and diversification of the fisheries sector. The strategic plan is intended to provide a comprehensive framework to ensure the industry’s development is systematic and well-organised.
According to the ministry, the masterplan will define...
High Costs and Allegations of Corruption Plague Aasandha System
Aasandha CEO Aminath Zeeniya has raised concerns about the high prices charged by major private hospitals, revealing that discussions are ongoing to reduce the costs of services. Speaking before the Parliament Committee on Social Affairs, Zeeniya explained that Aasandha is negotiating with private hospitals in the Maldives to make healthcare more affordable for citizens.
Destination Future Raises Concerns Over New Dollar Exchange Policies
Destination Future, a Maldivian NGO dedicated to sustainable development, has raised significant concerns about the government’s recent changes to the dollar exchange policy and an accompanying tax increase.
In a letter addressed to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the organisation criticised the abrupt implementation of these measures, highlighting their potentially harmful impact on businesses across...
President Yameen Proposes Mandatory USD 500 Million Contribution from Foreign Banks
Former President Abdulla Yameen has proposed making it mandatory for foreign banks operating in Maldives to contribute USD 500 Million to the economy to boost foreign reserves.
Speaking on local media, Yameen criticised current economic policies impacting the tourism sector, warning that measures such as the Maldives Monetary Authority’s (MMA) requirement for tourism businesses...
Ooredoo Maldives Achieves ISO Certification for Call Centre Operations
Ooredoo Maldives has become the first company in the Maldives to achieve ISO certification for its call centre operations, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s telecommunications industry. This certification also places Ooredoo as the second company in the region to attain this prestigious recognition.
The certification process, which began in February 2023, involved...
President Ratifies Constitutional Amendments Addressing Governance and National Sovereignty
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives, introducing several changes aimed at enhancing governance, safeguarding national sovereignty, and ensuring public participation in key decisions. Passed by the 20th Parliament during its 52nd sitting on 20 November 2024, the amendments are now in effect following their publication in the Government...
‘Girls to Code’ Programme Concludes Successfully in HA. Dhidhdhoo
Dhiraagu and Women in Tech Maldives have announced the successful conclusion of the "Girls to Code" programme in HA. Dhidhdhoo. The two-month programme, which focused on teaching coding fundamentals to girls aged 10 to 13, aimed to bridge the gender gap in technology and inspire more girls to pursue careers in the field.
The...
Has the ‘Maldives First’ Policy Achieved Its Goals or Caused More Harm?
In a recent interview with PSM News, Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel described President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s “Maldives First” policy as a transformative shift in the country’s foreign policy, emphasising sovereignty, balanced bilateral relations, and development priorities. While the policy’s intent has been to prioritise the nation’s interests, its implementation has been fraught with challenges and unintended...
Applications Open for Dhiraagu Apprenticeship Programme 2025
Dhiraagu has announced the opening of applications for its flagship Dhiraagu Apprenticeship Programme 2025, a key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at developing Maldivian youth through structured on-the-job training. Recognised as the first corporate apprenticeship programme of its kind in the Maldives, it offers participants the opportunity to earn while they learn.
The...
Concerns Raised Over Resistance to Medicine Price Reductions
The CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) and spokesperson for the President's Office, Heena Waleedh, has voiced concerns about some pharmacies refusing to comply with the government’s recent changes to medicine pricing. Speaking during a discussion with the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs, Heena acknowledged that while the majority of pharmacies have implemented the reduced...
5,000 Deported, 10,000 Tracked: How the Maldives Is Tackling Illegal Immigration
The Maldives’ efforts to address illegal immigration through "Operation Kurangi" have shown notable success, with Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed announcing the deportation of 5,000 illegal expatriates this year. This achievement aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s directive to prioritise tackling illegal immigration.
Speaking about the progress of Maldives Immigration, Shamaan revealed...
Attorney General Defends Legality of MMA’s Foreign Exchange Rules
Attorney General Ahmed Usham has affirmed the Maldives Monetary Authority’s (MMA) authority to impose foreign exchange regulations, including a rule requiring tourist facilities to exchange a specific amount of dollars per tourist. The regulation, which came into effect on 1 October, has faced criticism from legal professionals and businesses in the tourism sector.
Under...
Subsidy Reforms Expected to Drive Inflation in Maldives by 2025
The Ministry of Finance has projected an increase in inflation to 3.9 percent in 2025, following the implementation of subsidy reforms scheduled for next April. The reforms will see the government transition from broad subsidies to targeted assistance, focusing on those most in need.
In September 2024, the inflation rate in the Maldives was...
President Muizzu Appoints Mohamed Khaleel to Economic Council Amid Dollar Policy Tensions
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has named Mohamed Khaleel, his tourism advisor and a prominent figure in the Maldivian hospitality industry, to the Economic Council as debates intensify over a dollar exchange regulation impacting the tourism sector.
Khaleel, a key player in the industry as the Managing Director of Pulse Hotels and Resorts and a...
Declining Fertility Rates in the Maldives: Economic Challenges Loom as Birth Rates Fall
The Maldives is undergoing a notable demographic shift, with fertility rates consistently declining over the past decade. According to the Vital Statistics Report 2024, which analyses data up to 2021, the country’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.9 births per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. This trend has...
LATEST ARTICLES
Airlines Raise Fares as Maldives Airport Taxes Increase
International airlines operating in the Maldives are adjusting ticket prices upwards in response to the government’s recent airport tax hike.
Mastercard collaborates with Orca Media Group to enhance brand presence in Maldives
Mastercard has collaborated with Orca Media Group, a leading media and marketing company in the Maldives, to enhance its brand presence through...
India Investigates Alleged Sugar Smuggling in Shipments to Maldives
The Indian government has launched an investigation into the suspected illegal smuggling of 70 tonnes of sugar intended for the Maldives under...
Vice President Launches Maldives MSME Awards 2025, Emphasises Role of SMEs in Economic Growth
Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an innovative economy as a key component of President...
Maldives Tightens Tobacco Regulations with New Amendments
The Health Ministry has announced amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, introducing significant changes to regulate tobacco and related products in the...
