Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 128

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that Maldivians will witness sustainable development in the medium and long term, supported by a firm foundation. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Sangu TV.

In the interview, the President stated that the Government would bolster the country’s economy and highlighted various initiatives implemented by the Government in this regard.

The President stated that the Government is focused on strengthening the economy and is making substantial progress with a solid foundation. He emphasised that printing money is not an option. Furthermore, legal and systemic reforms are being implemented to increase the dollar supply, and the President anticipated an improvement in reserves soon. Financial support for workers, companies, and small and medium enterprises are to continue over the next few months, with a target to disburse all pending payments by the end of November.

The President indicated that billions of Rufiyaa have been allocated to support fishermen and to develop factories for expanding the fisheries sector, contributing to the economic recovery.

He also reported that the Velana International Airport is in the final stages of completion and that additional resorts are being developed. Furthermore, he outlined several initiatives intended to launch additional major projects.

The President noted that countries such as China and India are contributing to financial and economic stability by creating various opportunities. He also announced that a major project is being planned with Chinese grants to address the road infrastructure issues in Malé City.

The President emphasised that large-scale projects require meticulous preparation and significant time for planning. He assured that preparations for numerous such projects are advancing swiftly behind the scenes. Furthermore, the President stated that his international visits have played a key role in stabilising the situation in the Maldives. He stated that relations between the Maldives and other countries have considerably improved, resulting in strengthened foreign relations and a solid foundation for the economy. Additionally, he noted that economic reforms include the merger of certain state-owned companies.

^{Source: The President’s Office}

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu extended felicitations to the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, and Prime Minister, His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, on the occasion of Malaysia’s Independence Day.

In separate letters sent to the King and Prime Minister of Malaysia, President Dr Muizzu took note of the partnership between the Maldives and Malaysia, which is based on mutual respect, shared principles, and enduring people-topeople ties. He expressed confidence that the long-standing partnership between the two countries will continue to strengthen for both countries’ benefit.

The President also extended his best wishes for the King and Prime Minister’s good health and well-being, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Malaysia.

^{Source: The President’s Office}

The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) signed the Charter and the MoU for the Establishment of the CSC Secretariat on 30 August 2024. The Signing Ceremony was hosted in Colombo by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Ajit Doval K.C., National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India; Mr. Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retd.), Lt. Col (Retd.), National Security Advisor of Maldives; Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to Sri Lanka and Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka signed the documents on behalf of the respective Member States.

The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States. There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

^{Source: The President’s Office}

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye. The ceremony took place on Thursday at Külliyesi in Ankara.

During the call that followed the credential ceremony, President Erdoğan welcomed Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef and congratulated him on assumption of his duties as the Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye. Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him and conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Dr. Muizzu and the people of Maldives to His Excellency the President and the people of Türkiye.

Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef thanked President Erdoğan and the Government of Türkiye for the assistance and support Maldives have received and continue to receive from Türkiye and assured of the commitment to work together in promoting the political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef has held various appointments at Maldives National Defence Force during his illustrious 39 years of professional career. Prior to his appointment as the first resident Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef was the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force.

Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef was accompanied by his spouse Aminath Dhihshana, Aminath Shazly Saleem, First Secretary and Ismail Niyaz, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Maldives in Ankara.

^{SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs}

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has invited contractors to submit proposals for the development of 15 parking buildings in Hulhumalé, with a submission deadline of September 16.

HDC announced that these parking buildings are being developed primarily to address the ongoing parking challenges in Malé City and to ensure the safe parking of vehicles. The initiative will include both rental parking spaces and designated areas for visitors.

Interested contractors are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) and can propose any model for the project. However, HDC stated that proposals featuring an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance (EPCF) model will be given priority. In cases where multiple EOIs are submitted, the contractor presenting the best proposal will be selected.

The planned 15 parking buildings will have the capacity to accommodate 4,000 vehicles. HDC also noted that these buildings are intended for registered vehicles, with construction expected to be completed within the next two to three years, following a business model approach.

The government is actively working to alleviate the parking challenges in the Greater Malé Region. Efforts include limiting vehicle imports, setting age limits for vehicles, and designating specific parking areas.

^{Source: PSM}

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has announced that Malaysian company Bestinet Sdn Bhd has requested the payment of USD 13.7 million in outstanding fees, following the termination of the Expat Online System Agreement between the company and the Maldives. The agreement, which was terminated in 2019 by the previous government, was halted without adherence to its terms.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Ihusaan explained that the Expat Online System managed by Bestinet was responsible for monitoring and providing medical and other essential services to Bangladeshi immigrants in the Maldives. He revealed that the previous administration made the decision to halt the arrival of Bangladeshi immigrants without any prior communication with Bestinet. As a result, the company sought compensation for the losses incurred, requesting payment from the Maldivian government in 2022.

Regarding the settlement agreement, Minister Ihusaan disclosed that it stipulated the Maldives was responsible for covering the company’s losses. However, no payments have been made to Bestinet to date. He also highlighted that the Settlement Committee was abolished when the current government assumed office, leading to renewed discussions with the company to explore potential solutions.

Given the current economic situation, rather than compensating for Bestinet’s losses, the government and the company reached an agreement in May to develop an enhanced system. Minister Ihusaan expressed optimism about the new system, which will assist in monitoring expatriate fees and increasing government revenue. He emphasized that the system would help reduce the number of parties failing to make regular expatriate fee payments. The Minister also noted that the expenses for managing the system will be covered by the revenue it generates.

^{Source: PSM}

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has stated that efforts are underway to draft a plan to ensure the sustainable maintenance of whale shark habitat in Alif Alif Atoll. The South Ari Marine Park (SAMPa), one of the Maldives’ largest protected areas, is renowned for its year-round whale shark sightings. Whale sharks are generally harmless creatures towards humans.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Dhigurah island, Alif Dhaalu Atoll, to commemorate the International Whale Shark Day, Minister Thoriq highlighted that whale sharks were an endangered species adding that several tourists worldwide visit the Maldives to see the whale sharks. The Minister emphasised the important role whale sharks play in the tourism sector, however, noting that some actions of visitors harm the whale sharks.

Hence, stressed the necessity of protecting the environments of whale sharks, revealing that efforts are underway to draft a plan to ensure the sustainable maintenance of whale sharks in SAMPa. As such, a workshop was held Friday to draft the plan, and saw the participation of resorts, guest houses and island councils near the SAMPa area.

During the ceremony, guidelines pertaining to how to keep actions near whale shark habitats were officiated. The guidelines were officiated by the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar. According to the guidelines, it is prohibited for individuals to be three feet close to whale sharks or touching. It also prohibits obstructing shark movement and mandates keeping at least 20 meters when diving with the sharks.

International Whale Shark Day is commemorated annually on August 30. This initiative aims to address challenges facing whale sharks due to environmental changes and human activities while raising awareness about their protection.

^{Source: PSM}

The Ministry of Social and Family Development has affirmed its commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are given suitable jobs under the government’s policy aimed at inclusive recruitment.

While individuals with disabilities have previously been employed in various positions, concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of these roles. This mismatch often creates challenges for individuals with disabilities, hindering their ability to perform their duties effectively.

Speaking to PSM News, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Ahmed Athif revealed that the ministry has organised a special session to explore and create more suitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This session will focus on identifying the challenges faced by these individuals in the workplace, enhancing employment opportunities, teaching necessary skills, and conducting relevant training. The Ministry is also working to ensure that the work environments are suitable for these individuals.

State Minister Athif further explained that when a company recruits a person with disabilities for the first time, the Ministry will assess the work environment in advance to ensure it meets the required standards.

Ensuring that people with disabilities are provided with suitable employment opportunities is a key priority of the government. The Ministry is developing a database with essential information about people with disabilities to facilitate this initiative.

^{Source: PSM}

Maldives Immigration has issued notices to 273 foreigners with incomplete visas following a recent operation aimed at identifying undocumented migrants in the Greater Male’ Region.

On August 28, Immigration conducted a two-hour operation covering 582 locations, interrogating 1,025 expatriates. The operation, involving 211 officers organised into 52 teams, led to the issuance of notices to individuals lacking proper visas. Additionally, guidance was provided to 120 Maldivians employing expatriates illegally. Ten immigrants who were reportedly hiding in the Maldives were also apprehended.

This operation is part of a broader initiative, Operation Kurangi, launched by the government to address illegal immigration. The nationwide programme seeks information on foreigners residing in inhabitant islands, tourist resorts, industrial islands, and agricultural zones. It includes biometric identification procedures to target undocumented immigrants and facilitate their deportation through coordination with relevant embassies.

The government aims to resolve the issue of illegal immigration completely within three years.

^{Source: PSM}

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has praised the government’s commitment to continuing over 2,000 projects across the country, despite the current financial constraints.

In a recent program aired on PSM News, Minister Saeed emphasised that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had clearly outlined his plans to address the financial and economic challenges facing the nation in his first presidential address to Parliament.

The President’s vision includes strengthening the finances of indebted companies, addressing societal issues, and reducing the Maldives’ dependency on external sources, all while avoiding increased state debt and ensuring the repayment of existing debts without hindering developmental projects.

Minister Saeed highlighted that, of the 3,052 projects initiated, 2,048 are currently ongoing across various parts of the country. He also revealed that the government is prepared to launch an additional 1,853 projects, with agreements already in place.

Furthermore, the Minister lauded President Dr. Muizzu’s efforts over the past nine months to drive economic development.

Notably, he mentioned that the Development Bank of Maldives is set to be licensed soon, and the Financial Centre Act has been drafted and will soon be presented to Parliament for approval.

Minister Saeed also discussed significant ongoing projects, including the transfer of the fuel storage facility from Funadhoo in Kaafu Atoll to Maagiri Falhu. He assured that the development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will be completed within the current presidential term and noted that the Maldives Gateway Project is set to commence shortly.

The President plans to utilize the profits from these projects to further enhance economic development in the country.

^{Source: PSM}

The Maldives and the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for enhanced seaplane operations. The MoU was signed by Maldives’ Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Saleh bin Nasser AlJasser.

This agreement focuses on developing safety and security regulations for water aerodromes and seaplanes, ensuring they align with international standards. Additionally, the MoU outlines measures to minimize environmental impact during aviation operations. The agreement underscores the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.

The signing took place during Minister Ameen’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, following an invitation from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej.

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation stated that Minister Ameen is scheduled to hold comprehensive discussions aimed at boosting bilateral relations in civil aviation.

^{Source: PSM}

The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development has announced plans to resume the development of 400 housing units in Kulhuduffushi City, after addressing the challenges that led to the project’s suspension. The project, initially awarded to Donbez Private Limited in the first quarter of 2023, was halted due to the lack of secured funding at the time of contracting.

The project involves the construction of five 11-storey towers, with each unit comprising three rooms. Valued at over USD 28.7 million, the project began with on-site work, but the foundation for some of the towers was not completed before the project was paused. According to the ministry, despite an original deadline of November for the project’s completion, only 18 percent of the work has been finished to date.

Recognizing the critical importance of this housing project for the residents of Kulhuduffushi City, the Ministry has revealed plans to restart the development. However, given the delays, the project cannot be completed within the originally stipulated timeline. The Ministry has held discussions with the contractor to expedite the resumption of work, and efforts are underway to resolve the remaining challenges swiftly.

Addressing the housing crisis remains the top priority for the current government. In line with this objective, the government has committed to launching several housing projects across the nation.

^{Source: PSM}