Employment Act Localisation Provisions Set for Full Enforcement This September
Maldivian employers, particularly those in the resort and hospitality sector, face a looming deadline to comply with new workforce localisation rules. Under the Sixth Amendment to the Employment Act (Law No. 22/2020), the five-year transition period granted to businesses will expire on 22 September 2025, after which several key provisions will become fully enforceable.
The...
Tourist Arrivals in August Up 7.6 Percent as Maldives Maintains Growth
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives in August have shown steady growth, with 158,434 visitors recorded between 1 and 24 August 2025. This represents a 7.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when 147,269 arrivals were registered.
The figures highlight continued momentum in the peak summer holiday period, with daily arrivals averaging...
Maldives Records USD 13.2 Billion in Remittances, While Expatriates Sent USD 143 Million Abroad in 2024
Remittances continued to be a major feature of the Maldivian financial landscape in 2024, with the Maldives Monetary Authority reporting that banks and payment service providers processed over USD 13.2 billion in cross-border transfers. Outward flows amounted to USD 7.4 billion, while inward remittances reached USD 5.8 billion. These totals reflect all transactions, including those linked to...
Gov’t Finances Post Surplus in June as Revenue Outpaces Spending
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has reported that government finances turned to surplus in June 2025, as stronger revenues offset lower spending.
According to the Monthly Fiscal Developments report, total revenue and grants for June reached MVR 2.98 billion, up 22 percent compared to the same month last year. Tax collections, including GST...
Maldives Police Urge Vigilance as Fake Certificates Increase
The Maldives Police Service has raised alarm over a growing number of cases involving fake certificates being submitted for jobs and higher education opportunities, warning that the trend is eroding trust in the country’s education system.
In a statement, the Police said the use of forged or falsified qualifications undermines both public service and...
Hanimaadhoo International Airport Nears Completion, Set to Open by November
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the new international airport in Hanimaadhoo will be operational by November at the latest, marking the completion of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the northern Maldives.
Speaking to island residents during his tour of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the President said the airport’s modernisation was...
Ooredoo Maldives Honoured with National Award on National Day
Ooredoo Maldives has been honoured with the National Award of Recognition in the category of Business and Economic Development, becoming the only company in the Maldives to receive the distinction this year.
The award was presented by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during the official National Day ceremony held in HA. Utheemu. It was received...
Study Shows AI Boosts Accounting Productivity but Human Oversight Still Key
A new study from Stanford University and MIT Sloan has provided some of the first real-world evidence on how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession. For Maldivian firms exploring digital transformation, the findings highlight both the opportunities and risks of adopting AI in financial management.
Drawing on survey data from 277 accountants...
Maldives Pledges Stronger Action on Disability Rights at UN Review
The Maldives has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities during the review of its Initial Report before the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The review, held on 20 August in Geneva, examined the country’s progress in implementing obligations under the Convention on the Rights...
New Regulation Outlines Dissolution Procedures for Dormant Companies
The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has issued a new regulation establishing formal procedures for dissolving companies that fail to meet key compliance obligations under the Companies Act.
The regulation, titled Regulation on Procedures for Dissolution of Companies Determined by the Registrar Under Section 75(a)(3) of Law No. 10/96 (Maldives Companies Act) , was...
STO and Makita Celebrate 25 Years of Partnership in the Maldives
The State Trading Organisation (STO) and Japanese power tool manufacturer Makita celebrated 25 years of collaboration with a ceremony at Kurumba Maldives Resort.
The event highlighted the partnership’s contribution to the Maldives’ construction sector and its role in strengthening economic ties between Japan and the Maldives. Present at the ceremony were Japanese Ambassador to...
Siyam World and MATI Host Career Pathways Programme for Kudafari Students
Siyam World Maldives, in collaboration with the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), recently hosted the Discover Tourism: Explore Career Pathways programme, welcoming students and teachers from nearby Kudafari School for an engaging half-day session designed to inspire the next generation about career opportunities within the tourism industry.
The visit brought together 21 students...
HDC Moves to Address Delays in Reclamation Projects with New Dredgers
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has announced plans to deploy three additional dredgers in October to accelerate ongoing land reclamation and dredging works across the Malé region.
According to HDC, the new equipment includes two 45,000-tonne hopper dredgers and one 11,000-tonne hopper dredger. The corporation said the move is intended to ensure continuity of...
President Designates Valla as Part of Kudahuvadhoo to Boost Development
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially designated Valla, located in Dhaalu Atoll, as part of Kudahuvadhoo to facilitate economic activities and support the island’s development.
The change was made through Presidential Decree No. 21/2025 under the Decentralization Act, using the powers vested in the President under Section 134(a) of the Act.
USD 18 Million Compensation Proposed for Villa Group in Kaadedhdhoo Airport Dispute
The government has offered USD 18 million in compensation to Villa Air, owned by Jumhooree Party leader and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim, to take over Kaadedhdhoo Airport. The decision was confirmed in a letter from the President’s Office.
According to the letter, Villa Air had initially sought USD 21 million in compensation. However, the...
First Phase of Taxiway Charlie Rebuild Completed at Velana Airport
Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has handed over the first phase of the Taxiway Charlie rebuild project to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), marking significant progress in the ongoing development of Velana International Airport.
The project, which is divided into four phases, was signed with BUCG on 16 October 2024 and officially commenced on...
President Ratifies Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified Act No. 13/2025, the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act, setting the stage for the creation of a national body to oversee and regulate intellectual property rights in the country.
The Bill was passed during the 23rd sitting of the second session of the 20th People’s Majlis on 11...
When Media Freedom Fails, Democracy Decays
Parliament this week took up a bill that would dissolve the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council, replacing them with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. On the surface, it looks like a bureaucratic reshuffle. In practice, it is a struggle over who gets to decide what truth looks like in public life.
First Batch of National Apprenticeship and MACL’s “Hunavaru” Program Completed
The first batch of the National Apprenticeship Program and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL)’s “Hunavaru” Program has successfully concluded, with certificates awarded to 54 participants at a ceremony held at Hulhulé Island Hotel.
The event was attended by Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed, who underscored the importance of human resource...
Fisheries Ministry Opens Tender for Aquaculture Development on Uninhabited Islands
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has invited bids for the lease of uninhabited islands, lagoons, and reefs to develop aquaculture facilities, marking a step forward in the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s marine industries.
According to the announcement, the lease period for selected sites will run for 21 years, with the...
President Concludes North Ari Atoll Tour with Development Commitments
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned to Malé after concluding a multi-island tour of North Ari Atoll, where a series of infrastructure, housing, education, health, and tourism-related projects were announced.
The visits, which spanned Bodufolhudhoo, Thoddoo, Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, Mathiveri, Feridhoo, Maalhos, and Himandhoo, centred on community consultations and project signings with island councils, Women’s...
Hulhumalé to Welcome Manhattan Grand, a Luxury Five-Star Hotel Development
A long-idle structure in Hulhumalé, once earmarked by State Trading Organisation (STO) for a city hotel nearly two decades ago, is finally set to be transformed into a luxury five-star property through foreign investment.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has signed an agreement with World of Business Pvt Ltd, a joint venture with UAE-based...
Applications Open for Vacant Seat in Tax Appeal Tribunal
The President’s Office has opened applications for a vacant seat in the legal field of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, following the resignation of one of its members.
According to the announcement, application forms can be collected from the President’s Office on working days between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm. The deadline for both collecting...
Dhiraagu Opens Coaching Partner Applications for Maldives Road Race 2025
Dhiraagu has announced the opening of applications for coaching partners ahead of the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race (DMRR) 2025, the country’s largest annual running event.
Since 2018, the event has worked with official coaching partners to provide training opportunities that make fitness more accessible and inspire communities across the Maldives. Interested parties can apply...
LATEST ARTICLES
Employment Act Localisation Provisions Set for Full Enforcement This September
Maldivian employers, particularly those in the resort and hospitality sector, face a looming deadline to comply with new workforce localisation rules. Under...
Tourist Arrivals in August Up 7.6 Percent as Maldives Maintains Growth
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives in August have shown steady growth, with 158,434 visitors recorded between 1 and 24 August 2025. This...
Maldives Records USD 13.2 Billion in Remittances, While Expatriates Sent USD 143 Million Abroad...
Remittances continued to be a major feature of the Maldivian financial landscape in 2024, with the Maldives Monetary Authority reporting that banks...
Gov’t Finances Post Surplus in June as Revenue Outpaces Spending
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has reported that government finances turned to surplus in June 2025, as stronger revenues offset lower...
Maldives Police Urge Vigilance as Fake Certificates Increase
The Maldives Police Service has raised alarm over a growing number of cases involving fake certificates being submitted for jobs and higher...
