The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) began land reclamation works in Th. Vilufushi on Wednesday, following the signing of an agreement to develop and operate a new airport on the island.

The agreement was signed between Finance Minister Moosa Zameer and MACL’s CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed during a ceremony held in Vilufushi, which was attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. At the same event, the reclamation required for the project was formally inaugurated.

According to MACL, the airport will feature a 1,200-metre runway, a modern passenger terminal, and supporting facilities. The project is expected to be completed within 30 months, in line with a pledge made by President Muizzu to the island’s residents.

During a meeting with the community the previous evening, President Muizzu highlighted the airport as his key commitment to Vilufushi.

Th. Atoll already has an airport in Thimarafushi, developed during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed. However, the facility has seen limited use, with relatively low demand due to restricted economic activity in the region.

Maldives Immigration detained 81 expatriates on Tuesday during a large-scale operation in Male’ City targeting individuals living in the country without valid visas and those engaged in illegal business activities.

The raid, conducted between 16:00 and 18:00, involved checks at 463 locations, where 932 expatriates were questioned. According to Immigration, 81 individuals were found to be living illegally and taken into custody. Information on 10 establishments where expatriates were reportedly engaged in unlawful business activities has been forwarded to the relevant authorities.

The operation was supported by 160 Immigration officers, 66 police personnel, and representatives from other agencies. Authorities confirmed the initiative is part of a wider national operation to identify irregular foreign workers and deport them.

The crackdown began on Sunday, when 24 expatriates were detained. Immigration Controller General Ahmed Faseeh has previously stated that the operation would be carried out in three phases and would also take action against Maldivians involved in facilitating or running illegal businesses. He acknowledged that the effort would be challenging, noting that influential individuals and business interests are often linked to such activities.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed the issue during a visit to Faafu Nilandhoo last week, highlighting the growth in the expatriate population and the increase in cases of foreigners conducting business illegally. He told residents that a national operation would begin on Sunday to address the matter, with deportations to follow.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the international point-of-sale (POS) transaction limit for Bank of Maldives (BML) debit cards will be increased to USD 1,000 starting from 11 November 2025. The current limit is USD 500.

During a meeting held in M. Muli, the President outlined several related changes, including an increase in the debit card transaction limit for airline ticket purchases and international hotel bookings to USD 3,000. He also noted that debit card transactions for medical payments to hospitals abroad will be made available from the same date.

The President described the measures as an effort to ease reliance on the informal foreign exchange market. He added that BML has introduced the option to open Chinese Yuan accounts and highlighted further plans to expand currency options. From January 2026, UnionPay debit and credit cards, which operate in more than 180 countries, will be introduced in the Maldives.

He also stated that BML has been instructed to enable the use of Indian Rupees for local businesses, emphasising the potential benefits for companies engaged in trade with India and China. According to the President, these initiatives are expected to reduce demand for US dollars and support the country’s business sector and wider economy.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established the Digital Transformation Council to oversee the implementation of the Maldives 2.0 roadmap, a vision aimed at shaping the country into a digital-first nation.

Formed on the recommendation of the Cabinet, the Council will be chaired by the President and serve as the highest authority to guide and monitor the initiatives set out in the Maldives 2.0 Roadmap 2025–2028.

The Council consists of nine members: Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer, Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar, Chief of Staff at the President’s Office Abdulla Fayaz, Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology Dr Mohamed Kinaanath, Digital Transformation Strategist at the President’s Office Siyah Khaleel, and Managing Director of TradeNet Maldives Corporation Limited Saeeda Umar.

The Maldives 2.0 programme, first introduced by President Muizzu in May, is built on eight key pillars including digital identity, open data sharing, cybersecurity, modern legal frameworks, sovereign digital infrastructure, citizen-centred e-government, sectoral digital transformation, and ICT ecosystem development. The government has described the initiative as one that aims to modernise public services, strengthen trust in digital systems, and encourage innovation.

According to the President’s Office, the roadmap focuses on creating an environment where government operations are streamlined, service delivery is timely, and access to state services is made more transparent and efficient. The plan also envisions reducing bureaucratic delays and improving integration of services across all islands.

By establishing the Council, the government seeks to ensure that the Maldives 2.0 vision is carried out in line with its stated goals of building a secure, citizen-focused and digitally independent future.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing tour of four atolls has centred on a series of development pledges, with particular focus on infrastructure, fisheries, education, healthcare, and coastal protection. The visits have provided local councils and communities the opportunity to outline their priorities, while the President has given assurances on accelerating key projects.

In F. Dharan’boodhoo, the administration pledged to complete ongoing projects while initiating new ones, including a health centre upgrade to extend service hours, a fitness and recreation centre, an outdoor volleyball court, and a football ground with a running track. Plans were also announced for a new police station and coastal erosion mitigation, with funds to be allocated in the 2026 budget.

At F. Magoodhoo, President Muizzu assured that the long-delayed airport will be completed within 12 months. He also confirmed construction of a multipurpose school hall and a health centre within the year, while harbour upgrades are scheduled for the 2026 budget. The President inaugurated a Bank of Maldives ATM and laid foundation stones for new facilities including the Island Council Secretariat, a Fitness and Recreation Centre, and a police post.

In Mulakatholhu Veyvah, commitments included harbour development in the 2026 budget, expansion of the health centre within this year, and resolving school space constraints by the beginning of the 2026 academic year.

Meanwhile, in M. Mulah, the President unveiled plans to revitalise the fisheries sector with a 30-tonne ice plant, cold storage, and a fuel skid project set for January. He also confirmed the island’s health centre would be upgraded to hospital status immediately, alongside 50 new housing units, accelerated harbour development, and coastal protection work. Road construction and a new Fitness and Recreation Centre are expected to be completed within four months, while a school expansion project is scheduled for completion before the next academic year.

Throughout the tour, the President has repeatedly highlighted his administration’s commitment to resuming stalled projects and securing budget allocations for upcoming developments. The visits underline a push towards strengthening local infrastructure, modernising the fisheries sector, and addressing long-standing community concerns in the atolls.

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), in partnership with Malé City Council and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has begun a large-scale inspection of food and beverage establishments across the greater Malé region. The ten-day operation, running from 21 to 30 September, is part of the government’s efforts to enforce the newly enacted Food Safety Act and raise public health standards.

According to the MFDA, while annual inspections are carried out regularly, this year’s exercise is more stringent due to the strengthened provisions of the Food Safety Act. The law introduces tighter regulations on all aspects of the food industry, covering importation, labelling, production, and sales.

The inspections will target a wide range of providers, including restaurants, cafés, takeaways, and other approved food outlets. Particular focus will also be placed on identifying and shutting down establishments operating without MFDA authorisation.

Under the new framework, the MFDA confirmed it will take firm action against violations. This includes imposing fines, mandating closures of unlicensed outlets, and publishing the names of businesses that fail to comply with safety requirements. The authority said the decision to publicise non-compliant establishments is aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the industry.

The operation will be conducted in Malé, Vilimalé, Thilafushi, and Hulhumalé, with six dedicated teams comprising officials from both the MFDA and Malé City Council.

The Food Safety Act, which came into effect earlier this year, requires all food establishments to register and obtain a licence to operate. Penalties for non-compliance range from MVR 10,000 to MVR 100,000, reflecting the government’s push to enforce higher safety standards across the food sector.

Velana International Airport’s new Passenger Terminal 1 has welcomed its first Chinese airline, with Beijing Capital Airlines officially beginning operations from the facility. The milestone makes the carrier the fifth airline to move into the terminal, which has been gradually opening its doors to international operators.

The inaugural flight, JD455-6, arrived with 276 passengers on board and was greeted with a ceremonial water salute and traditional cultural dances. At the same time, the airline opened its check-in counters at the terminal and offered gift bags to the 248 passengers departing on its first outbound flight.

A ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by Adhil Moosa, the former CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), who now serves as CEO of Treetop Hospital.

Beijing Capital Airlines, a low-cost carrier based at Beijing Daxing International Airport, joins four other airlines currently operating from Terminal 1: national carrier Maldivian, UAE’s Air Arabia, premium carrier Beond, and Sri Lanka’s Fitz Air.

According to MACL, two more airlines are scheduled to transition their operations to Terminal 1 within the week, further expanding the range of carriers using the new facility.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that a nationwide operation will begin on Sunday to identify and shut down unlicensed businesses, with a particular focus on those operated by expatriates. The initiative will also target undocumented expatriates for deportation.

Speaking to residents of Faafu Nilandhoo, the President said the operation is aimed at ensuring all economic activity in the Maldives is conducted in line with the law. He noted that while irregular migration has been a persistent issue for years, earlier administrations had taken few concrete steps to address it.

According to the President, recent efforts under ‘Operation Kurangi’ have collected biometric data on 178,982 expatriates, a large proportion of whom are undocumented. He added that more than 8,000 undocumented expatriates have been deported in recent months as part of ongoing enforcement measures.

The President also highlighted other challenges, naming drug abuse and gang-related crime as longstanding issues that his administration intends to tackle through transparent processes without interference in the judiciary. He referred to the recent enactment of the Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act and confirmed that amendments to the Drug Act are being drafted for submission to Parliament.

The announcement comes just weeks after the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology said it was preparing to launch a mass regularisation programme for undocumented expatriates. No details have yet been released by the Ministry or Maldives Immigration regarding how the new crackdown on unlicensed businesses will be implemented.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited several islands in Vaavu and Faafu atolls yesterday, where he outlined ongoing and planned development projects and signed agreements with local councils.

In Vaavu Keyodhoo, the President said a land reclamation project will begin early next year, with funds included in the upcoming state budget. Agreements were also signed for a new health centre with a 20-bed capacity and a four-storey school building. He noted that the new facilities are expected to address current space and electricity challenges. Plans were also announced to install a dollar-denominated ATM by March.

In Faafu Bileiydhoo, harbour expansion and land reclamation were highlighted as priority projects, with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) assigned to carry out the work. Budget allocations are expected in the coming year. Groundbreaking ceremonies were also held for new premises for the Police Station and Health Centre, as well as a Fitness and Recreation Centre.

On Faafu Feeali, the President said the stalled land reclamation project will resume once rock boulders are delivered, with 15 hectares planned for reclamation. Agreements were signed for harbour upgrades, a jetty, a mosque, and a futsal ground. A new Police Station project was launched, and Bank of Maldives introduced ATM services on the island.

At Faafu Nilandhoo, the President confirmed that the airport development will be completed within 30 months, with the runway extended to 1,800 metres under a revised scope of land reclamation. He added that the government intends to proceed with a series of related projects, including road development, sewerage and water supply systems, housing, and healthcare facilities. A canning factory and fuel storage tanks are also among the initiatives linked to the island’s designation as an Urban Centre.

He further stated that Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) will receive 10 per cent of council budgets from next year, an increase from the current five per cent.

The President said that the government intends to continue consultations with island councils and expects a second round of meetings nationwide to be completed by November.

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially been handed the contract to develop and operate the new airport in Faafu atoll Nilandhoo. The agreement was signed on Saturday during a ceremony held on the island, attended by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as part of his current tour of the atolls.

The contract was signed between Finance Minister Moosa Zameer and MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed. Under the project, MACL will be responsible for constructing what has been described as a state-of-the-art airport, including an 1,800-metre runway.

President Muizzu noted that land reclamation is nearing completion for the runway. He added that while the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) had initially been contracted to reclaim land for a 1,500-metre runway, the scope has now been expanded to include an additional 300 metres.

He described the airport as an important development not only for Nilandhoo but for the entire atoll. The project is part of the government’s wider policy of ensuring that every inhabited island, resort, or industrial area is within a 30-minute distance of a domestic airport.

MTCC was first awarded the airport construction contract in March 2024, with work to be completed within 390 days. The project has since shifted to MACL, which will oversee both the construction and operation of the facility.

Plans for an airport in Nilandhoo are not new. The administration of former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom had also allocated budget funds for its construction, although the project did not move forward at the time.

Once completed, the Nilandhoo airport is expected to improve connectivity and support economic growth across Faafu atoll.

The Ministry of Finance has announced the sale of MVR 2.26 billion worth of Treasury Bills (T-Bills), with subscriptions opening on 21 September 2025 and settlement due on 22 September 2025.

According to the official notice, the offering spans four maturities, with varying interest rates reflecting market conditions. A total of MVR 384 million will be issued under a 28-day maturity at 3.50 percent, while MVR 402.25 million is offered under a 98-day maturity at 3.87 percent. The 182-day bills amount to MVR 576 million at 4.23 percent, and the largest tranche is the 364-day maturity, with MVR 896.9 million offered at 4.60 percent.

The issuance is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to manage short-term financing requirements through domestic debt instruments. T-Bills remain a key tool for the state to secure liquidity while providing investment opportunities for financial institutions operating in the Maldives.

As outlined in the invitation, all subscriptions must follow the Ministry’s prospectus and be submitted within the designated timeframe. Payments must be settled in full on the stated date, with failure to comply potentially resulting in suspension from future government securities operations.

The auction comes at a time of continued reliance on T-Bill financing to meet budgetary needs. The steady rise in interest rates across maturities reflects both liquidity conditions in the financial sector and the government’s increasing cost of domestic borrowing.