Maldives News Bulletin Volume 100

Date: July 29, 2024 | Volume: 101

Special Awards Committee to accept nominations President’s Award for Special Achievement

The Special Awards Committee has announced that it would begin accepting nominations for the “President’s Award for Special Achievement” on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The nominations will be open until Monday, September 16, 2024. Applications for nominations for the “President’s Award for Special Achievement” will only be accepted via the applications portal at apply. presidency.gov.mv on the President’s Office website. The President confers the award to individuals whose exceptional skills and performance are a source of national pride and who have made substantial contributions to national progress. The award features four categories this year. The first category is dedicated to individuals who have attained a Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) level 10 qualification and for publication of research in an international journal, and those who have completed qualifications between MQA levels 7 and 9 at the highest standard and attained the highest grade for a research project or dissertation. The second category is dedicated to individuals who have excelled or achieved the highest rank in an international competition or exhibition. The third category is dedicated to innovative and enterprising individuals who have presented practical resolutions or outstanding solutions by conducting academic research on critical national challenges. The fourth category is dedicated to exceptional creativity and innovation that enhance national development. Youths between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for the awards. The Special Awards Committee advises all applicants to adhere to the guidelines for document submission during the application process. Applicants are reminded to have their certificates attested by a lawyer certified by the Bar Council of the Maldives.

Tourist arrivals pass 1.1 million

The Ministry of Tourism has revealed that the total number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives has passed 1.1 million arrivals. It is a 9.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The daily updates report released by the Ministry indicated an uptake, after a dip in the arrival rate. Arrivals in January were 192,385 tourists, 217,392 in February, 194,227 in March, 168,366 in April, 119,875 in May, and 123,284 in June and 120,518 till July 23. Daily arrival rates had increased in May and June, with average arrivals at 3,867 tourists for May and 4,109 average arrivals in June. Statistics show China as the top destination for arrivals, with 147,241 visitors. Russia is the second highest with 120,366 visitors, with the United Kingdom following closely with 101,402 arrivals, Italy with 85,014 visitors, and Germany with 84,345 arrivals. Average stay is now approximately seven days. This, combined with the increase in arrivals, has prompted authorities to revise arrival targets to two million tourists by the end of the year. Half of this target has already been achieved in the first four months of 2024.

High Commissioner of New Zealand presents credentials to the President

The High Commissioner of New Zealand to the Maldives, His Excellency David Pine presented his Letters of Credence to the President, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office.

The High Commissioner was escorted to the President’s Office from the Republic Square in a cultural procession “Haiykolhu” with MNDF Drum and Trumpet Band.

Ambassador of Switzerland presents credentials to the President

The Ambassador of Swiss Confederation to the Maldives, Her Excellency Dr. Siri Walt presented her Letters of Credence to the President, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office

The Ambassador was escorted to the President’s Office from the Republic Square in a cultural procession “Haiykolhu” with MNDF Drum and Trumpet Band.

Ambassador of European Union presents credentials to the President

The Ambassador of European Union to the Maldives, Her Excellency Maria Carmen Moreno Raymundo presented his Letters of Credence to the President, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office.

The Ambassador was escorted to the President’s Office from the Republic Square in a cultural procession “Haiykolhu” with MNDF Drum and Trumpet Band.

Ambassador of Angola presents credentials to the President

Ambassador of Angola to the Maldives, His Excellency Clemente Pedro Francisco, presented his Letters of Credence to the President, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, at a ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office.

The Ambassador was escorted to the President’s Office from the Republic Square in a cultural procession “Haiykolhu” with MNDF Drum and Trumpet Band.

Newly appointed Ambassador of Angola calls on Minister Zameer

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola, Clemente Pedro Francisco Camenha paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer today, following the Presentation of Credentials by the Ambassador to the President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held at the President’s Office. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Zameer congratulated Ambassador Camenha on his appointment and expressed hope to work closely together to strengthen the Maldives’ bilateral ties with Angola, as well as enhance multilateral engagements. Minister Zameer was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya, Secretary, Bilateral Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Mariyam Reesha and Assistant Director Lamha Saleem

Vice President concludes his official visit to France

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has concluded his official visit to the Republic of France to attend the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024 Olympics. On Thursday night, the Vice President met with the Maldivian contingent participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics. During the visit, the Vice President attended to watch the Women’s Table Tennis Singles Preliminary Round match to support Fathimath Dheema Ali. The Vice President visited France at the invitation of the French Government and the International Olympic Committee

MMPRC, MATATO, NHGAM gear up preparations for Welcome India roadshow

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC Visit Maldives), the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM) are making the final preparations for the upcoming series of roadshows in India. The “Welcome India” roadshow aims to strengthen the Maldives’ position as a premier holiday destination for Indian travellers with activities in three major cities. The roadshow series is scheduled to start on 30th July 2024 at New Delhi, and continue on 01st August 2024 at Mumbai, ending on 03rd August 2024 at Bangalore. This high-profile event will bring together leading industry stakeholders from both countries, providing a platform to nurture new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and showcase the Maldives’ unparalleled beauty and diversity. The Maldives will be represented by Ibrahim Faisal, Minister of Tourism, and Mohamed Khaleel, Advisor to the President on Tourism Development and other stakeholders. India is a vital source market for the Maldives, with tourist arrivals steadily increasing. The roadshow aims to capitalise on this growing demand and solidify the Maldives’ position as a top-of-mind destination for Indian travellers. Visit Maldives is confident that the “Welcome India” roadshow series will be a resounding success and further strengthen the Maldives’ appeal in the Indian market.

MMPRC, NHGAM partner up for Maldives promotion

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) and the National Hotel and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to effectively promote the destination Maldives. The agreement was signed by MMPRC’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree, and NHGAM’s Vice President, Ahmed Waheed. Under this strategic MOU, NHGAM will play a crucial role in supporting marketing efforts and participant recruitment, maximising their engagement throughout fairs and events including Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2024. Additionally, both parties will cooperate in jointly promoting the Maldives, boosting local island tourism, and strengthening the Maldives’ position as a leading global tourist destination. ATF 2024, the first collaboration under this MOU, is a vital event among governments, businesses, and development agencies across Asia. It provides invaluable opportunities for networking, partnership building, and cultural exchange. This year’s ATF coincides with World Tourism Day. This collaboration is anticipated to significantly boost tourist arrivals and contribute to the growth of the Maldives’ tourism industry, reinforcing our position as the World’s Leading Destination

Guest houses add 900 more beds to market

Statistics issued by the Ministry of Tourism has indicated that the bed capacity in the Maldives has expanded by 900 beds in the past seven months. The increase is attributed to the burgeoning guesthouse sector. At the start of the season, the bed count for 809 guesthouses was at 13,657 beds. By July 23rd, this figure has increased to 14,65 beds in 867 guesthouses. This is an increase of of 958 beds. This brings the nation’s tourism bed capacity to 62,481 beds. This includes 42,955 beds from resorts, 14,615 from guest houses, 2,955 from safaris, and 1,956 from hotels. Presently, there are 1,207 tourist facilities in operation, consisting of 174 resorts, 867 guest houses, 152 safaris, and 14 hotels.

RuPay cards to be launched in Maldives in August

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has announced that RuPay cards will be introduced in the Maldives before the end of August. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to establish a creator economy in the country. Speaking to PSM News, Minister Saeed outlined the significant steps taken to foster a creator economy in the Maldives during the first eight months of the current administration. He highlighted that the introduction of the RuPay Card is scheduled for August, alongside the development of a national payment platform and integration with major regional markets, with strong support from India. Additionally, Minister Saeed noted the presence of numerous producers in the Maldives and the income potential from various social media platforms. He also pointed out that the current system lacks convenient payment methods, hindering the ability to monetise content. Furthermore, Minister Saeed acknowledged the challenges faced by emerging creators and digital e-commerce businesses in the Maldives. Minister Saeed, added that under the directive of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, he has engaged with stakeholders to bring PayPal services to the Maldives and is now seeking assistance from the United States (US) government. Moreover, Minister Saeed said that WeChat Pay is now operational in the Maldives. He indicated that dollar wallets for the Bank of Maldives (BML) and the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) have been activated. He also said that the government has made significant progress by engaging with banks and starting discussions with regional offices to optimise the use of TikTok in the Maldives, with support from the Chinese government.

Application submitted for MDB license

The government has revealed that the application for the licence to operate the Maldives Development Bank (MDB) has been submitted to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed stated that the application for the bank’s licence has been submitted. The MDB was officially established on May 16th under the authority granted to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Speaking to PSM News, Minister Saeed confirmed that all necessary research for the MDB has been completed and that the company has been registered. He also said that two experienced individuals from major foreign technical banks have been appointed to the board of the bank. Additionally, Minister Saeed said that preparations for the bank’s operational building are underway. He said the bank is now expected to be operational by August. He also revealed that the bank is seeking a foreign Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will announce the recruitment process in an international newspaper. The MDB aims to invest in sustainable economic and social development and raise funds for infrastructure projects in line with government policies. Its main objective is to address the challenges of funding Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects through syndication finance and to enhance the attractiveness of foreign exchange deposits within the domestic banking system.

Gov’t opens registration for Maldivian producers

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has opened registration for the Maldivian producers to aid producers in connecting with potential buyers both locally and internationally. The register aims to provide business opportunities for incomegenerating producers in the Maldives. It seeks to connect producers to a wider market, facilitating trade and opportunities for such trade. The register will also feature markets opened to the Maldives under the various Free Trade Agreements and other similar trade agreements. The register also seeks to eliminate issues faced by producers, both locally and internationally. The deadline for registration is August 15th. Registration forms are available on the Government gazette, with the 1500 help center reachable for additional queries.

MIFCO pledges service improvements

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has pledged to continually enhance its management efforts. MIFCO conveyed the commitment to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, industry shareholders, and the people of the Maldives. In a statement, the company said it takes pride in being the first to align with the President’s policy to strengthen the management of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The board of MIFCO, management, and employees expressed their gratitude to the President for this honour. MIFCO further welcomed the President’s decision to appoint an experienced individual, with experience in managing international-level corporations. The move underscores his commitment to eliminating wastage and make the company profitable. While MIFCO has made significant strides in getting back on track, the company is plagued with systematic issues. Recently, the company announced salary cuts for senior management as a cost-reduction measure in its ongoing efforts to strengthen operations.

Gov’t vows to address homeland security issues

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has affirmed his commitment to addressing homeland security issues in a way that ensures the nation’s independence remains unshaken. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview on a PSM News programme. Speaking to PSM News, Minister Ihusaan said that homeland security is one of the most challenging areas in the Maldives. He warned that if these issues are not resolved swiftly, the country’s independence could be at risk. Additionally, Minister Ihusaan acknowledged that decisions regarding internal affairs cannot satisfy everyone but stressed their importance. He stated that only a minister, following directives from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, can make such decisions. He said that he is prioritising the most crucial issues as a minister. He also said that with strong determination from a country’s leader, success is attainable. Furthermore, Minister Ihusaan highlighted the importance of loyalty, integrity, and service in public institutions. He emphasised the need to closely examine the true meaning of integrity, noting that not everyone possesses such qualities. He is also promoting the establishment of high ethical standards within the ministry’s areas of operation.