When the State Goes Digital Before It Goes Honest
In a glossy rollout that included international delegates and a flurry of press releases, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu unveiled Maldives 2.0, a...
Tourism Carried the Economy. Again.
The Maldives Monetary Authority’s recently released Annual Report for 2024 paints a deceptively upbeat picture. At first glance, the 5.1% expansion...
Maldives’ Pension Timebomb: Why Reform Is No Longer Optional
Fifteen years ago, the Maldives introduced its landmark Pension Act, a promise of security for the ageing, built around a seemingly...
What Does a Healthy Economy Look Like for the Maldives?
In the Maldives, discussions around economic health frequently hinge on metrics such as GDP growth, tourist arrivals, and foreign investment flows....
Beyond Tourism: Why the Maldives Must Invest in Its People
The Maldives has been exporting its brightest minds and importing its workforce for decades. While resorts thrive and the world marvels at...
The Business of Politics in the Maldives – Money, Power, and the Vicious Cycle
In the Maldives, as the nation is grappling with economic instability, rising national debt, and a fragile tourism-dependent economy, the intersection of...
Can Cricket Heal the Maldives’ India Tourism Crisis?
The Maldives’ tourism industry has been thriving with record visitor numbers, yet one notable weak spot has emerged: tourist arrivals from...
Exchange Rate Pressures and Their Impact on Consumer Prices in the Maldives
The Maldives’ reliance on imports for essential goods has made exchange rate stability a vital factor in managing domestic inflation. With the...
The Politicisation of the Maldives Monetary Authority: A Call for Central Bank Independence
Recent events have reignited concerns about political influence over the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), illustrating the urgent need to safeguard the institution's...
Maldives’ Food Ad Regulation: Poorly Thought Out and Costly
The Maldives government is finding itself on shaky ground with the recent introduction of the Food Advertising Regulations, enforced by the Maldives...
The Fragile Balance: Separation of Powers, Absolute Power, and the Future of the Maldives
On 26 February 2025, the Maldives witnessed a seismic shift in its democratic framework. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), leveraging its...
Report: Misleading Marketing in Maldives Tourism Exposes Regulatory Failures
Gaps in tourism regulations have allowed businesses to market themselves in ways that contradict their official classifications. The lack of strict oversight...
Report: Maldivians Still Overlooked in Resort Jobs Despite Localisation Efforts
The Maldivian hospitality industry remains one of the largest employers in the country, yet systemic biases continue to limit the representation of...
Report: Economic Reforms or Executive Decrees? A Look at Parliament’s Role
As the People’s Majlis reconvened for its fourth session today, the previous term’s legislative actions come under scrutiny. The third session of...
Report: When the Enforcers Become the Entrepreneurs
The role of the police and military is simple in theory. The police enforce the law, the military safeguards national security, and...
Report: The Private Sector’s Role in the Maldives’ Climate Fight
The Maldives faces an existential threat from climate change. With tourism and fisheries constituting nearly half of the nation's GDP and employment,...
Report: Pilgrims Stranded, Taxpayers Left to Foot the Bill
For many Maldivians, performing Umrah is both a spiritual aspiration and a significant financial investment. However, recurring scandals involving Umrah tour operators...
Report: Maldives’ Year in Review – Major Economic Developments of 2024
The year 2024 marked a significant chapter for the Maldivian economy, with notable achievements in the tourism sector tempered by ongoing concerns...
Report: From Volume to Value, Rethinking Success in Maldives Tourism
The Maldives has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector, reaching 2 million tourist arrivals in 2024, a record that illustrates...
Report: Gov’t Subsidies, from Generalised Support to Targeted Transfers
Government subsidies have long played a crucial role in supporting households and mitigating the impact of economic pressures on vulnerable communities. However,...
Report: Maldives Construction Industry Grapples with Debt, Dollar Scarcity, and Stagnation
The Maldivian construction sector, which contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP, is under immense pressure due to a combination of economic factors...
Report: Promises Unfulfilled, President Muizzu’s First Year in Office
One year ago, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office amidst high hopes and towering promises to revitalise the Maldivian economy and streamline...
Report: New Housing Loan Scheme, Ambitious Vision or Economic Gamble?
The Maldivian government's recent launch of the 'Hiyaavahi' finance scheme has been hailed by many as a significant step towards addressing the...
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...
LATEST ARTICLES
Eager to Work, Nowhere to Go: A Portrait of Maldivian Youth in Today’s Labour...
The recent turnout of nearly 1,000 young Maldivians for just 50 entry-level positions at the Maldives Immigration has reignited an ongoing conversation...
Aséria: Progress and Promise in the Maldives’ First Master-Planned Gated Community
Aséria is quickly taking shape as the Maldives’ most ambitious residential development to date. Set within a secure coastal enclave on the...
Bank of Maldives Declares Record MVR 55 Dividend as Profits Reach All-Time High
Bank of Maldives (BML) declared a record final dividend of MVR 55 per share for the financial year 2024, following shareholder approval...
Government Receives Only 3.6% of Projected Foreign Grants in First Five Months of 2025
The Ministry of Finance has revealed that the Maldivian government collected just 3.6 percent of its projected foreign grants for 2025 during...
Maldives and UK Hold Second Strategic Dialogue to Deepen Bilateral Ties
The Maldives and the United Kingdom (UK) convened the Second Strategic Dialogue at the Senior Officials level yesterday in Malé.
