Maldives Weekly Bulletin (2024)

02/09/2023

News from August 26 to September 1: presidential election campaign enters final stretch; candidates promise airports, bridges and debt relief; and Muizzu backs ‘India First’ foreign policy.

News from August 26 to September 1: presidential election campaign enters final stretch; candidates promise airports, bridges and debt relief; and Muizzu backs 'India First' foreign policy.

02/09/2023

Business news from August 26 to September 1: central bank launches new payment system; government divests stake in Villingili resort; and Air India and Vistara schedules direct flights to Maldives.

19/08/2023

Business news from August 12 to 18: US$400 million Gulhifalhu port project due to begin; Indian export business plans to develop alcohol-free vegetarian-only resort; and national carrier plans to launch flights to Bangalore.

12/08/2023

News from August 5 to 11: Muizz enters crowded field amid leadership split over boycott proposed by Yameen; MDP campaign venue set ablaze as protesters clash with riot police; and unusually high tidal swells wash over bridge highway.

12/08/2023

Business news from August 5 to 11: Qatari company enlisted to build bunkering facility in northernmost atoll; investor sought for Vaavu airport with country’s largest lagoon on offer; and Maldives State Shipping purchases 105-container capacity cargo vessel.

Business news from August 5 to 11: Qatari company enlisted to build bunkering facility in northernmost atoll; investor sought for Vaavu airport with country's largest lagoon on offer; and Maldives State Shipping purchases 105-container capacity cargo vessel.

05/08/2023

Business news from July 29 to August 4: STO’s net profit declines in Q2-2023 to US$19.6 million; BML extends Home Purchase Loan and Home Purchase Financing tenor to 25 years; and major Chinese carrier returns with tourists after seven-year hiatus.

Business news from July 29 to August 4: STO's net profit declines in Q2-2023 to US$19.6 million; BML extends Home Purchase Loan and Home Purchase Financing tenor to 25 years; and major Chinese carrier returns with tourists after seven-year hiatus.

29/07/2023

News from July 22 to 28: Supreme Court rejects petition to ensure ex-president Yameen’s right to run for office; Ilyas Labeeb and Faris Maumoon emerge as presidential candidates; and Maldives celebrates 58th anniversary of independence.

News from July 22 to 28: Supreme Court rejects petition to ensure ex-president Yameen's right to run for office; Ilyas Labeeb and Faris Maumoon emerge as presidential candidates; and Maldives celebrates 58th anniversary of independence.

29/07/2023

Business news from July 22 to 28: STO opens cashier-less shop in Hulhumalé; €1.4 million grant aid disbursed to 406 guesthouses and safari vessels; and central bank begins pilot testing of the ‘Maldives Instant Payment System.’

Business news from July 22 to 28: STO opens cashier-less shop in Hulhumalé; €1.4 million grant aid disbursed to 406 guesthouses and safari vessels; and central bank begins pilot testing of the 'Maldives Instant Payment System.'

22/07/2023

News from July 15 to 21: JP, MNP and Democrats propose fielding common opposition candidate; President Solih covers three atolls on the campaign trail; and opposition leader Yameen remains ineligible with just over two weeks left to get on the ballot.

News from July 15 to 21: JP, MNP and Democrats propose fielding common opposition candidate; President Solih covers three atolls on the campaign trail; and opposition leader Yameen remains ineligible with just over two weeks left to get on ballot.

22/07/2023

Business news from July 15 to 21: tourist arrivals reach one million milestone; Sichuan Airlines plans direct flights; and developer sought for luxury residential buildings in Hulhumalé.

15/07/2023

News from July 8 to 14: President Solih launches re-election campaign; Speaker Nasheed officially joins The Democrats; and exiled ex-tourism minister returns after dropping of sexual assault charges.

08/07/2023

News from July 1 to 7: Nasheed angers opposition with call for Yameen to drop out of presidential race; MVR13 million allegedly embezzled from Road Development Corporation; and businessman implicated in fraudulent apartment sales taken into custody.

08/07/2023

Business news from July 1 to 7: contract signed to build 13 floating overwater villas in Vilivaru; MPL partners with Netherlands Maritime University College; and government awards 200 scholarships to train chartered professional accountants.

01/07/2023

News from June 24 to 30: new land pledged for all eligible native residents of Malé; Democrats team up with opposition PPM-PNC; and mysterious feline spotted in Maafaru airport declared harmless.

01/07/2023

Business news from June 24 to 30: luxury airline set to to debut in September with a Dubai-Maldives route; Oman Air resumes flights to Maldives; and 59 apprentices graduate from Four Seasons programme.

24/06/2023

News from June 17 to 23: ex-president and co-founder leaves MDP; Chinese tourist accuses Ritz-Carlton butler of sexual assault; and Elections Commission members at odds over approving registration of new party.

24/06/2023

Business news from June 17 to 23: World Bank provides US$67.8 million to reform SOEs and strengthen fisheries sector; Maldives Ports Limited raises MVR50 million through capital markets; and contract signed to build boats for carrying local agricultural produce to markets.

Business news from June 17 to 23: World Bank provides US$67.8 million to reform SOEs and strengthen fisheries sector; Maldives Ports Limited raises MVR50 million through capital markets; and contract signed to build boat for carrying local agricultural produce to markets.

17/06/2023

News from June 10 to 16: parliament ceases to function over impeachment motions; monthly allowance raised for persons with disabilities; and ex-vice president testifies in marathon hearing of bribery and money laundering trial.

17/06/2023

Business news from June 10 to 16: India overtakes Russia as top source market for tourists; government plans tax concession to Addu businesses; and MTCC shareholders reject MVR4 per share dividend proposal.

12/06/2023

ICYMI, last week’s headlines were dominated by no-confidence motions that have triggered a deadlock in parliament. In other news, the president inaugurated land reclamation and airport development projects in Addu

News from June 3 to 9: MDP MPs move to impeach Speaker Nasheed; land reclamation and airport expansion launched in southernmost atoll; and High Court hears appeal of ex-president's 11-year jail sentence.

12/06/2023

Last week, the UK announced negotiations for a goods-only Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Maldives, which the government hopes would eliminate a 20% tariff on fish exports

Business news from June 3 to 9: UK announces negotiations for Free Trade Agreement with Maldives; US$27 million project launched to expand Addu's international airport; and Fuvahmulah council introduces fee for diving in famous tiger shark point.

10/06/2023

News from June 3 to 9: MDP MPs move to impeach Speaker Nasheed; land reclamation and airport expansion launched in southernmost atoll; and High Court hears appeal of ex-president’s 11-year jail sentence.

News from June 3 to 9: MDP MPs move to impeach Speaker Nasheed; land reclamation and airport expansion launched in southernmost atoll; and High Court hears appeal of ex-president's 11-year jail sentence.

10/06/2023

Business news from June 3 to 9: UK announces negotiations for Free Trade Agreement with Maldives; US$27 million project launched to expand Addu’s international airport; and Fuvahmulah council introduces fee for diving in famous tiger shark point.

Business news from June 3 to 9: UK announces negotiations for Free Trade Agreement with Maldives; US$27 million project launched to expand Addu's international airport; and Fuvahmulah council introduces fee for diving in famous tiger shark point.

03/06/2023

News from May 27 to June 2: opposition alliance stages mass rally against alleged forfeiture of Maldivian territory; political appointees sacked after joining The Democrats; and 27-year-old man stabbed to death by brother.

03/06/2023

Business news from May 27 to June 2: STO, BML, MPL and MTDC approve dividends for 2022; tourist arrivals down 5.6% in May; and banks introduce customer service chatbots.

27/05/2023

News from May 20 to 26: Nasheed loyalists launch membership drive for new party; alleged thief doused in paint; and two suspects in custody over murder of 62-year-old woman in April.

27/05/2023

Business new from May 20 to 26: fifth tourism masterplan targets US$6 billion by 2027; new rules target sole proprietorships operated by foreigners; and Bank of Maldives offers grant funding to emerging entrepreneurs.

20/05/2023

News from May 13 to 19: Nasheed loyalists resign en masse from MDP to form new party; opposition alliance gears up for mass gathering over ‘sale of Maldivian sea’; and photo of ostrich outside Malé home goes viral.

News from May 13 to 19: Nasheed loyalists resign en masse from MDP to form new party; opposition alliance gears up for mass gathering over 'sale of Maldivian sea'; and photo of ostrich outside Malé home goes viral.

20/05/2023

Business news from May 13 to 19: nominal GDP exceeded MVR100 billion for the first time; Islamic Development Bank pledges US$40 million to support small businesses; and Kuwait Fund finances seven new hospitals.

13/05/2023

News from May 6 to 12: travel ban imposed on businessman accused of fraudulent apartment sales; new alliance submits no-confidence motion against Attorney General; and government plans to reclaim more land from Hulhumalé lagoon for housing projects.

News from May 6 to 12: travel ban imposed on businessman accused of fraudulent apartment sales; new alliance submits no-confidence motion against Attorney General Riffath; and government plans to reclaim more land from Hulhumalé lagoon for housing projects.

13/05/2023

Business news from May 6 to 12: MTCC proposed distribution of record MVR32 million to shareholders; annual Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives kicked off; and Bank of Maldives introduced Two Factor Authentication for mobile banking logins.

06/05/2023

News from April 29 to May 5: political fallout continues from alleged forfeiture of Maldivian territorial waters; president announces pay hike for health sector workers; and Maldives slides on press freedom index to 100th out of 180 countries.

06/05/2023

Business news from April 29 to May 5: STO, BML and Dhiraagu posted first quarter earnings; SME Bank relaunched upgraded online portal for issuing loans; and BML partnered with American Express for tourism campaign.

29/04/2023

News from April 22 to 28: UN tribunal sets new Maldives southern maritime border amid political firestorm; parliament breaks for recess without exempting bundles from new plastic bag fee; and energy consumption reaches record level as temperature soars.

29/04/2023

Business news from April 22 to 28: central bank estimates 13.9% growth in 2022; Consumer Price Index rose by 3.97% in March; and STO board of directors propose MVR77 per share.

02/09/2023

02/09/2023

19/08/2023

12/08/2023

12/08/2023

05/08/2023

29/07/2023

29/07/2023

22/07/2023

22/07/2023

15/07/2023

08/07/2023

08/07/2023

01/07/2023

01/07/2023

24/06/2023

24/06/2023

17/06/2023

17/06/2023

12/06/2023

12/06/2023

10/06/2023

10/06/2023

03/06/2023

03/06/2023

27/05/2023

27/05/2023

20/05/2023

20/05/2023

13/05/2023

13/05/2023

06/05/2023

06/05/2023

29/04/2023

29/04/2023

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