New Harbour Purchases and Processing Facility Boost Fuvahmulah’s Fishing Industry
Fishing vessels in Fuvahmulah City can now sell their catch directly at the harbour, following the start of official purchasing operations on Saturday. The move is expected to ease longstanding challenges for local fishermen and bring greater returns from one of the nation’s richest fishing grounds.
The launch was marked by the arrival of...
Maldives to Introduce National Engineers’ Award from 2026
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government will launch a National Engineers’ Award in 2026 to recognise the contributions of engineers to national development.
The announcement was made during the inaugural National Engineers’ Day, which was celebrated yesterday in the Maldives. The President also declared 30 August as “Maldives Engineers’ Day”, to...
China-Maldives FTA Set to Strengthen Fisheries Exports and Trade Opportunities
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China, which came into effect on 1 January, is expected to deliver significant economic benefits, particularly in fisheries exports, according to Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua.
In an interview with state media, the Ambassador said the agreement has already created opportunities for Maldivian...
Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2025 Set to Begin in Malé
The Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2025 is scheduled to begin on Monday, 1 September, and will run until 6 September at the Kulhivaru Ekuveni Badminton Hall in Malé.
Organised by The Badminton Club, the tournament will see 347 players from eight countries compete across 733 matches. Among them are 30 international athletes, reflecting growing...
Maldives and China Agree to Deepen Partnership During Leaders’ Meeting
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday morning at the Tianjin Yingbin Hotel, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation between the Maldives and China.
President Xi welcomed Dr Muizzu and described the visit as a significant step in strengthening the longstanding ties between the two nations....
Kihaa Maldives Found Operating Without Valid Licence, Faces Legal Action
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has announced legal action against Kihaadhuffaru in Baa Atoll, known as Kihaa Maldives, after finding the resort in breach of the Maldives Tourism Act and failing to comply with minimum operating standards.
According to the ministry, the resort was leased to Athama Marine International Pvt Ltd under an...
TTM Maldives 2025 Wraps Up with Record Meetings and Industry Recognition
The 9th edition of TTM Maldives 2025, which began on August 27th at Barceló Nasandhura Malé, successfully concluded on August 28th at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.
The TTM Connect Meetings, held over the two days at Barceló Nasandhura Malé, brought together over 500 travel trade professionals and more than 125 hoteliers, facilitating over 3,000...
Fuel and Food Drive Maldives’ Import Bill, Fisheries Lead Exports in July 2025
Maldives’ trade figures for July 2025 show a widening gap between imports and exports, reflecting the country’s heavy dependence on foreign goods and fuel. According to customs data, total imports reached MVR 4.5 billion, while exports stood at just MVR 210 million.
Fuel remained the largest import category, valued at MVR 923 million, underscoring...
President Ratifies Insurance Act to Regulate Sector
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Insurance Act (Act No. 13/2025), introducing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the insurance industry in the Maldives.
The legislation, passed by the People’s Majlis on 18 August 2025, sets out licensing requirements for insurance companies and intermediaries, alongside supervisory provisions designed to strengthen oversight of the...
National Payment System Amendment Grants MMA Greater Oversight Powers
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the First Amendment to the National Payment System Act (Act No. 8/2021), granting the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) greater statutory authority to oversee and strengthen the country’s financial infrastructure.
The amendment, passed by the People’s Majlis on 18 August 2025, enables the MMA to develop and enhance the...
President Muizzu Departs for China to Attend SCO Summit
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu departed on Friday for an official visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, where he will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
During the visit, President Muizzu is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with President Xi and other foreign leaders. His...
Tourism Pioneer Mohamed Umar “M.U.” Maniku Dies at 78
Mohamed Umar “M.U.” Maniku, widely regarded as the father of modern tourism in the Maldives, passed away today in Singapore at the age of 78. His death was confirmed by Universal Enterprises, where he served as Chairman.
M.U. Maniku was instrumental in establishing the nation’s tourism industry more than five decades ago. In 1972,...
Report: When Duty Becomes Business
The soldier’s duty is to defend the nation. The police officer’s is to uphold the law. These roles are already heavy with responsibility, yet in the Maldives, they have been complicated by something else: business.
The Sifainge Cooperative (SIFCO) and the Police Cooperative Society (POLCO) were not created to compete in the market. They...
MPL to Establish Second Free Zone at Addu City Regional Port
Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced plans to establish the country’s second free zone at the Addu City Regional Port, as part of the government’s push to diversify the economy and expand regional logistics.
The initiative follows the introduction of the first pilot free zone at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Port in the north, which authorities...
Parliament Approves Four New Appointments to MIRA Board
Parliament has approved the appointment of four members to the Board of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
At the sitting held on 4 August, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu proposed 14 names for the seven-member board, which is appointed by the President but requires parliamentary endorsement.
The Parliament’s Economic Committee reviewed...
Minister Saeed Announces Duty-Free Operations at Kulhudhuffushi Port
Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has announced that duty will no longer be levied on goods unloaded at Kulhudhuffushi Port, positioning the northern port as a new hub for trade expansion.
The announcement was made at the inauguration ceremony of new services at the port, part of broader efforts to expand...
President Concludes Tour of South Thiladhunmathi Islands with Focus on Development Projects
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has concluded a four-day tour of South Thiladhunmathi Atoll, during which he visited 13 islands and held discussions with councils, Women’s Development Committees, and community representatives. The trip centred on addressing local priorities while advancing the government’s wider development agenda for the northern region.
The visit saw several agreements signed...
Villa College Marks Milestone with Legal Education Initiatives
Villa College has unveiled two landmark initiatives aimed at reshaping the future of legal education in the Maldives. The ceremony, held at the QI Campus, introduced the country’s first-ever Judges Residency Programme and inaugurated the Centre for Transformative Environmental and Marine Law (CTEM).
The event also included the oath-taking ceremony of the 2025 Executive...
Maldives’ Largest Travel Trade Show TTM Maldives 2025 Kicks Off in Malé
The 9th edition of TTM Maldives 2025 has officially begun, bringing together top travel partners and industry leaders for two days of networking and pre-scheduled meetings.
As the Maldives’ leading and largest travel trade show, TTM Maldives 2025 serves as a vital platform for connecting, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among key players in the industry. Taking...
Kulhudhuffushi Port Expansion Brings Bonded Zone and Lower Costs for Goods
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has announced that goods unloaded at the commercial port of Kulhudhuffushi City will no longer be subject to duty, following the establishment of a warehousing system and expanded port services. The initiative fulfils one of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s key pledges.
The Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has been contracted to...
Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2025 Partners with Local Coaches to Support Runners
Dhiraagu has announced a line-up of official coaching partners for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race (DMRR) 2025, offering participants free training programmes ahead of the country’s largest annual run.
The partnerships are designed to make race preparation more accessible, with tailored guidance for both first-time runners and experienced participants. The training support is provided...
President’s North Tour Puts Focus on Infrastructure, Fisheries and Housing
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing four-day tour of South Thiladhunmathi Atoll has centred on a string of economic and infrastructure pledges, with airports, ports, housing, and fisheries emerging as key priorities for the northern region.
In HDh. Makunudhoo, the President confirmed that Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) will develop a new airport featuring...
Ooredoo Nation Launches Largest Atoll eSports League in the Maldives
Ooredoo Nation has launched the Ooredoo Nation Atoll eSports League 2025, the biggest eSports competition of its kind in the Maldives, uniting 49 teams from 35 islands across 16 atolls. The tournament centres on the popular mobile game PUBG Mobile, offering players from across the country an opportunity to compete on a national stage.
Inflation Slows in July as Food Prices Edge Up, Transport Costs Fall
Inflation in the Maldives slowed slightly in July, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all groups rising by 3.97 percent compared to the same month last year. This marks a small decline from the 4.04 percent annual increase recorded in June, according to data released by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.
On a...
LATEST ARTICLES
New Harbour Purchases and Processing Facility Boost Fuvahmulah’s Fishing Industry
Fishing vessels in Fuvahmulah City can now sell their catch directly at the harbour, following the start of official purchasing operations on...
Maldives to Introduce National Engineers’ Award from 2026
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government will launch a National Engineers’ Award in 2026 to recognise the contributions of...
China-Maldives FTA Set to Strengthen Fisheries Exports and Trade Opportunities
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China, which came into effect on 1 January, is expected to deliver significant...
Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2025 Set to Begin in Malé
The Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2025 is scheduled to begin on Monday, 1 September, and will run until 6 September at the...
Maldives and China Agree to Deepen Partnership During Leaders’ Meeting
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday morning at the Tianjin Yingbin Hotel, where both leaders reaffirmed...
