Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 122

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has concluded his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The visit aimed to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.

During the visit Minister Zameer had a meeting with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting Minister Zameer presented a letter from His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives addressed to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister, His Highness Prince Faisal, Minister Zameer discussed and reviewed the longstanding fraternal ties of friendship between the two countries as well as potential avenues for future cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Minister Zameer also held meetings with other senior officials from the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s and the Saudi Fund for Development. Minister Zameer also met the resident Maldivian Community in Riyadh and inquired about their well-being.

Minister Zameer was accompanied by Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority, Ahmed Munawar, Ambassador-at-Large, Ahmed Naseer, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Joint Secretary, Badoora Saeed, and Director General, Aishath Fareena.

^{SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs}

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has applauded and congratulated the Maldives’ male and female surf athletes for their tremendous achievements in the Asian Surfing Championship.

The President congratulated the Maldives’ male and female national surf athletes in a social media post made last night.

For the first time, the Asian Games have included surfing as a competitive sport. The Maldivian surfing athletes achieved top places in the ongoing Asian Surfing Championship, which is held to qualify athletes for the upcoming Asian Games. This year, the Asian Surfing Championship is being held on Thulusdhoo Island of Kaafu Atoll. This year, 113 athletes from 20 nations competed in the championship. This is the second Asian Surfing Championship hosted in the Maldives.

The Maldives secured slots for the Asian Games 2026 in male and female surfing categories, competing in the Asian Surfing Championship on Thulusdhoo Island. The Maldives men’s and women’s teams were ranked No. 1 in the South Asia region, while our men’s team secured 4th overall in Asia.

^{SOURCE : The President’s Office}

Speaker of the Parliament Fonadhoo Constituency Member of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has concluded his official visit to China.

The Speaker departed to China to participate in the Inter-Regional Seminar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Parliaments of Developing Countries 2024.

During his visit, Speaker Abdul Raheem participated in the ceremony held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the National People’s Congress’s (NPC) affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the opening ceremony of the Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Parliaments of Developing Countries.

Prior to the ceremony, a special meeting was convened with the Speakers of Parliaments from the participating countries, the President of the IPU, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC of China. During this meeting, Speaker Abdul Raheem emphasised the enduring and significant relationship between the Maldives and China. As such, the Speaker expressed the Maldives’ support for the One-China Policy and commended China’s leadership in global affairs.

Additionally, Speaker Abdul Raheem also made a statement at the 2024 Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs for Parliaments of Developing Countries held in Beijing, China. Speaking at seminar he emphasised the importance of considering each country’s situation and available resources, when drafting developmental strategies in this globalised world.

As such, he highlighted the critical connection between the Maldives’ economic development strategies, its democratic values, and sustainability. Drawing from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s address at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the speaker reiterated that sustainability is at the core of the Maldives’ identity, and resilience is essential to its way of life.

On the sidelines of the seminar, which runs from August 18 to 23, Speaker Abdul Raheem held discussions with the President of the IPU and the Secretary General of the IPU. The Speaker was accompanied by Parliamentarians Ibrahim Shujau, Mohamed Ismail, Mohamed Shahid and the Secretary General of the People’s Majlis, Fathimath Niusha.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef launched the “Education Transformation Initiative” project on Thursday. The Vice President launched the initiative at a ceremony held at Jen Maldives, Malé.

The “Education Transformation Initiative” is a project undertaken through a USD 9.5 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the progress of the Maldivian education sector.

The project includes three grants; a USD 5 million system transformation grant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as grant agent, a USD 1.5 million system capacity grant with UNICEF as a grant agent and a USD 3 million multiplier grant with the World Bank (WB) as a grant agent.

The Vice President also launched the programme document and the project website at the ceremony.

^{SOURCE : The President’s Office}

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has declared that illegal food production facilities in the Maldives will be shut down immediately.

He made the statement in a joint press conference, held with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

The Minister disclosed the taskforce will be conducting raids to identify and close illegal food production facilities. He revealed that during previous operations, illegal immigrants were found working in various unregistered businesses.

Legal action has been taken against those individuals under the Immigration Act. Minister Ihusaan stressed that these operations would not only target illegal immigrants but also shut down the businesses employing them, as exploiting such migrants poses a significant risk to the nation.

Minister of Health, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel also said that the Ministry is committed to ensuring the safe production of food and beverages in the country. He assured that any facilities producing food items that may pose a risk to public health would be closed immediately.

Registrar of Companies, Mariyam Wisam, confirmed that businesses operating without proper registration would be shut down during these raids.

This move follows President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ratification of the Food Safety Act on May 23, which aims to ensure the safety of food items imported and exported from the Maldives. The Act officially came into effect on Thursday.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has disclosed that 400,000 trees have been planted around the nation, under the Five Million Trees programme launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

He made the remarks while speaking to PSM News after the official launch ceremony of the programme in Fuvahmulah City.

The Minister noted the ambitious efforts of the City Council and relevant authorities in Fuvahmulah city to plant more than 100,000 trees in the city. Noting that Fuvahmulah has always been a City that prioritises the environment and conservation, Minister Thoriq said the City is of special importance in terms of environment.

Minister Thoriq added that 1.4 million trees are to be planted under the programme, adding that this target is reachable within this five-year term.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

The Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has stated the results of a scientific study on the decentralisation of administrative areas in the Maldives will be publicised on August 25.

The study is conducted by the Maldives National University (MNU).

In an interview with PSM News, Minister Adam Shareef Umar shared following the publication of the MNU’s findings, Ministry teams will embark on a nationwide tour to various regions to assess and implement the necessary reforms based on the study’s insights.

The Minister stated that the Ministry was reviewing the existing laws to identify any potential challenges to the system. The Minister emphasised the importance of seeking input from council members, the civil service, and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) to ensure that the decentralisation system evolves effectively.

Minister Adam Shareef also noted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has advised the Ministry to seek guidance from experienced professionals while undertaking reforms in the decentralisation system.

A recent discussion meeting focused on decentralisation reform was attended by key figures involved in drafting the constitution, researchers instrumental in introducing decentralisation, former ministers and mayors.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has temporarily relocated its operations in Kanduoy-giri Island to Felivaru Island, following the Cabinet’s decision to handover the island to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

he management and senior officials of MIFCO and MNDF on Thursday, visited Kanduoy-giri to conduct a site operation.

The Cabinet of Ministers made the decision that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) should allocate suitable land from Hulhumale’ for MIFCO to carry out its Kanduoy-giri operations. MIFCO notes that discussions on the acquisition of suitable land are ongoing with HDC.

MIFCO states that the company aims to take advantage of the investment opportunities available and restore the services on a large scale by acquiring suitable land in Hulhumale’ as soon as possible. One such investment opportunity is the USD eight million grant given under the Saudi Fund and the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) fund.

While MIFCO has handed over Kanduoy-giri to MNDF, the company must move the whole facility out of the island by September 15. As such, the company has started work to produce its lifestyle products at the Felivaru complex, as a temporary fix.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam stated that even though Kanduoy-giri was brought to operations to solve the challenges faced by the fishing industry, a desirable solution to these challenges has not been found despite longterm efforts.

Kanduoy-giri was the hub of MIFCO’s lifestyle products, such as premade food made available by the company. The island was also used to weigh yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna caught by the fishermen. MIFCO also provided ice to the fishermen from the island.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

The government has intensified its efforts in combating undocumented migrants through an expanded series of operations.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, alongside Maldives Immigration, has been actively conducting raids and operations over the past few months.

In a press conference, the authorities shed light on the initiatives of the newly formed task force dedicated to addressing undocumented migrants. Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan revealed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has urged a collaborative approach among Ministries to find a swift and long-term solution to this issue.

The task force includes the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), and the Ministry of Economic Trade and Development.

The initiative to address undocumented migrants was launched by President Dr. Muizzu in July, following Cabinet recommendations. The nation-wide programme , Operation Kurangi, aims to tackle this issue. The operation includes biometric identification procedures aimed at targeting undocumented migrants and facilitating their deportation through coordinated efforts with relevant embassies.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has pledged to expedite the ongoing energy-related projects in Fuvahmulah City.

Speaking to PSM News, Minister Thoriq stated that during his ongoing official visit to the city, he will prioritise seeking solutions to the challenges faced by Fenaka Corporation Limited and Waste Management Corporation Limited, as per the Ministry’s mandate.

The Minister reiterated his commitment to hold discussions with relevant authorities in seeking potential solutions expeditiously. He additionally emphasised the need to enhance the water and sewerage systems in the city and increase its water capacity as well.

Minister Thoriq also spoke on the crucial importance of completing the development of Fuvahmulah City’s power station. The Minister noted the challenges faced due to the stalled projects, which were launched during the previous tenure.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

The Maldives has held discussions with senior officials from PayPal Holdings Inc. to address the challenges associated with introducing PayPal services in the country.

In a social media update, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed revealed that discussions took place with PayPal’s President for Global Marketing via an online meeting. The focus of these discussions was on the difficulties faced by Maldivian e-commerce businesses in receiving payments through PayPal.

PayPal, a widely used e-wallet application, facilitates convenient online transactions. However, while Maldivians can use PayPal to send funds abroad, they encounter challenges when it comes to receiving payments.

Minister Saeed reiterated President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to introducing online payment systems and e-wallets in the Maldives. He said the Ministry has already begun working on fulfilling this pledge, with plans to bring in e-wallets such as India’s RuPay to the Maldives.

Speaking on PSM News, Minister Saeed emphasised the potential for productive use of online platforms, including social media, to generate revenue. He highlighted the current system’s limitations, which hinder Maldivians from fully leveraging these opportunities. Many creative online businesses and individuals involved in digital e-commerce face significant challenges due to these constraints.

To leverage the benefits of platforms like TikTok, Minister Saeed revealed ongoing discussions with regional offices and has sought assistance from the Chinese government to address these issues.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

A delegation of the Ministry of Transport Seychelles has visited Velana International Airport (VIA).

During his visit, Antony Derjacques and other senior officials from Seychelles transport ministry met with the management of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Aflah, Senior Political Director Muaz Rasheed and the Honorary Consul of the Maldives to Seychelles Mohamed Firaq.

MACL stated that the delegation visited VIA, aiming to gain insights into the development of the airport.

The delegation of Seychelles stated that the primary objective of the visit was to gain insight on the challenges the Maldives had to encounter in developing an airport such as the VIA and implementing the knowledge during the airport development in Seychelles. MACL revealed that Seychelles shared information on the challenges it faced and sought advice from the expert team of MACL.

Following the discussion, the delegate visited the facilities of VIA which are completed. They also observed the ongoing airport developmental projects such as the establishment of the new terminal.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has has launched the “Discover Maldives” webinar series, a global initiative aimed at strengthening destination presence and engaging travel trade professionals worldwide.

The agency reported that the series provides valuable insights into the diverse tourism offerings of the Maldives and launched on Wednesday. The first webinar was targeted at the French market. Renowned properties such as Adaaran Resorts & Heritance Aarah, Angsana Velavaru, and Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau participated in the first session with Visit Maldives, sharing their unique products, services, and experiences.

Each webinar targets approximately 60-80 travel professionals and trade media and is conducted in localised languages to ensure effective communication with travel agents and tour operators, MMPRC said.

The Discover Maldives webinar series seeks to maintain and increase the number of tourist arrivals from key and emerging markets. MMPRC said that they aim to solidify Maldives’ position as a top-of-mind destination for global travellers.

An other prominent objective of the webinar series is to highlight our diverse tourism products and variety of experiences available in our destination, attracting travellers with different preferences and interests.

The Maldives’ top markets for the year are currently China, Russia, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, India, the United States, France, Spain, and Switzerland.

^{SOURCE : Visit Maldives}

Bank of Maldives (BML) Islamic has announced its substantial investment in the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) Sanabil project, a major initiative aimed at developing a cutting-edge, seven-story campus for tertiary education in Hulhumalé.

The investment marks a significant milestone for BML Islamic as it becomes the first banking institution in the Maldives to fully subscribe to an Islamic capital market instrument issued by a statutory body—the IUM Sanabil Sukuk issued in June 2024.

Director of Islamic Banking at BML Hassan Kalaam emphasised the importance of this investment, stating the investment stands as a testament to BML Islamic’s steadfast dedication to enhancing the Islamic banking and finance sector while simultaneously nurturing the growth of Islamic education. He added the project will yield long-lasting benefits for both the IUM and the local community and will drive the establishment of a knowledge-based economy.

BML Islamic is recognised as a leading provider of Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions in the Maldives, offering innovative and ethical banking services to individuals, businesses, and institutions.

The investment aligns with BML Islamic’s commitment to fostering the growth of Islamic education and supporting the development of essential infrastructure in the Maldives.

^{SOURCE : PSM}

The State Trading Organisation (STO) and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide enhanced services to vessels offering bunkering services in the northern Maldives.

The agreement marks a significant step towards boosting maritime services in the region, which is a crucial route in international shipping.

The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at the MPL office, with MPL’s CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim and STO’s Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim. Under the agreement, STO will handle the bunkering services, while MPL will offer additional support services required by the vessels.

This agreement between STO and MPL aims to provide a comprehensive range of maritime services, including pilot boat services to guide ships approaching the Maldives, as well as the provision of water, food, and other necessary equipment. The agreement also includes efforts to market these services effectively to attract more international vessels to the region.

CEO of MPL Wajeeh emphasized the strategic importance of the northern region in international maritime routes and highlighted the potential benefits of offering bunkering and other maritime services in this area.

^{SOURCE : PSM}