Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 150

President and First Lady arrive in New Delhi, India on state visit 

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in New Delhi this afternoon for a state visit. The President is undertaking the visit following an official invitation extended by the President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu. 

Accompanying the President are First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation from the Maldivian Government. 

During his visit, President Dr Muizzu will meet with President Murmu, His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior Indian government officials. These discussions will centre on strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing the relationship between the two nations. 

The President is also scheduled to visit Mumbai and Bangalore later this week. 

 SOURCE : The President’s Office 

Tourist arrivals to Maldives increase by 9.6 percent by September 

 The Ministry of Tourism has recorded a 9.6 percent increase in tourist arrivals to the Maldives as of September 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. 

The latest statistics released by the Tourism Ministry show that 1.49 million tourists visited the Maldives by September this year, up from 1.36 million during the same time last year. The statistics show that February saw the highest monthly arrivals, with 200,000 tourists visiting. In September alone, there were 132,799 arrivals, which is a 1.4 percent increase compared to the 130,967 arrivals recorded during the same month last year. 

The statistics also reveal that China is the leading source of tourists, contributing 221,143 arrivals, followed by Russia with 162,288 and the United Kingdom (UK) with 126,332. On average, 4,427 tourists arrive in the Maldives daily, and they typically stay for seven days. The government has set a target of attracting two million tourists by the end of the year. It is expected that this target will be reached in December with the end of year arrivals. 

 SOURCE : PSM 

President Dr Muizzu honours teachers on International Teachers’ Day

 President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu extended his heartfelt greetings in celebration of International Teachers’ Day. 

In a message shared on his official ‘X’ account, President Dr Muizzu emphasised the role of teachers in spreading knowledge and wisdom. He noted that, just as one candle can light many others, teachers illuminate the path forward by inspiring and guiding future generations. He also reflected on how candles burn out as they give light, comparing this to the selfless sacrifices teachers make, dedicating their time and energy for the betterment of others. 

During a special event held to mark the Day Maldives Embraced Islam, the President expressed deep gratitude to teachers, underscoring their crucial role in shaping the nation’s intellectual development. He emphasised that education is as vital to nation-building as physical infrastructure and housing and should be prioritised accordingly. 

President Dr Muizzu also stressed the importance of fostering values such as humanity, discipline, and responsibility in students, urging teachers to take an active role in nurturing these qualities. 

International Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5 each year, recognising the contributions of teachers to society.

 SOURCE : The President’s Office 

Grand celebrations for 900th anniversary of the day Maldives Embraced Islam

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided that the 900th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam will be celebrated in a grand and colorful manner. The announcement was made by Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim, during an interview with PSM News.

Speaking to PSM News, Minister Adam Naseer emphasised that the 900th anniversary will be a momentous occasion in the country’s history. He highlighted that the Maldives will celebrate a millennium of following Islam under the guidance of the faith. He also reiterated that the 900th anniversary will be marked with vibrant celebrations, noting that the countdown to this milestone has now officially begun.

This year marks the 898th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam, with the 900th anniversary set to be celebrated in 2026. The Maldives converted to Islam 800 years ago, and the 2nd of Rabi’ul Aakhir is observed annually to commemorate this event. The official observance of the day began in 1374 AH and continued for 14 years before a pause. Since 1421 AH, the Maldives has resumed celebrating this historic occasion each year.

SOURCE : PSM

“Maldives College of Nationalism will work to maintain records of history”

Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim has stated that the College of Nationalism, known as “Dhivehi Qaumiyyathuge Isvaru”, will primarily focus on ensuring the maintenance of the history records of the Maldives.

The College of Nationalism was inaugurated on September 4, in the ceremony held to mark the National Day. The college was inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Speaking to PSM News, Minister Adam Naseer stated that the college’s main works will include recording the progress made by Maldivians in various areas linked with nationalism. The Minister assured that the necessary documents related to this will be prepared by the college as well. The college will focus on five key areas, including, Dhivehi language, history, digital technology, heritage, and art.

The establishment of the College of Nationalism, is part of the government’s broader efforts to revive and promote nationalism. Minister Adam Naseer also disclosed that the college will undertake research on the identity and history of the Maldives.

SOURCE : PSM 

External Affairs Minister of India pays a courtesy call on the President

Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, paid a courtesy call on President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu during the President’s ongoing state visit to India.

Dr Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in welcoming the President to India, for the state visit. President Dr Muizzu conveyed his gratitude to the Indian government for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation upon arrival.

At the meeting, the President and the Minister spoke extensively on fostering and maintaining good ties between the two countries. The two sides reviewed the progress of current initiatives supported by the Government of India and discussed exploring additional avenues which both countries see mutual benefits in line with the current development priorities of the Maldives. Providing affordable housing as well as quality healthcare services, tourism promotion, and expanding fisheries and agriculture sectors across the country were flagged as key areas of focus that largely impact the welfare of the people of the Maldives.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the President and the Minister agreeing to broaden the existing relationship between the governments and people of the Maldives and India.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

Fisheries Ministry to develop lobster fishery sustainably

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has introduced a new plan to develop the lobster fishery in an environmentally sustainable way.

The Fisheries Ministry’s plan focuses on fostering sustainable growth in the lobster fishery, as part of its broader efforts to enhance the fishing sector in the Maldives. 

The Ministry said that the plan is centered on four key objectives. These objectives include ensuring that lobster fishing and related activities align with ecosystem-based management, the precautionary approach, and sustainable resource management principles. 

The Ministry also aims to establish policies informed by both ecological and socio-economic data related to the lobster fishery. In addition, the plan emphasises implementing systems for monitoring, control, and surveillance of the fishery and trade, while improving the collection and reporting of relevant data.

The Ministry said that a crucial component of the plan is raising awareness among stakeholders and the public about lobster species and sustainable fishing practices. It noted that the strategies and actions outlined in the plan are designed to meet these objectives, which will ultimately enhance the development of the lobster fishery and ensure the sustainable management of the resource. It also said that resorts and guesthouses represent the primary market for commercial lobster, followed by restaurants and other local markets.

The Ministry also said that discussions are ongoing with international partners to further develop the fishing sector of the Maldives, with a particular focus on expanding the diamondback squid fishery

SOURCE : PSM

Mechanical parking systems to be made accessible for public

Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has stated that the Ministry intends to open the existing mechanical parking lots to the public. The Ministry revealed that this was part of the Male’ Fahi Programme, launched to address parking issues.

Mechanical parking systems were first established in Hulhumale’ in 2017, designated to accommodate four-wheeled vehicles. A total of eight systems, with 225 parking slots, were developed in various locations in Hulhumale’ Phase I. However, the public has expressed concern as these systems have not been utilised up to this date.

The systems, which were previously under the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), have now been transferred under the Transport Ministry. The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen previously announced the decision of relocating these systems to Hulhumale’ Phase II. He noted that these parking slots will be leased to the public at a very small price.

The Ministry noted that this initiative will play a pivotal role in addressing parking issues and reduce the number of vehicles parked illegally. It further revealed that the policies and prices related to the mechanical parking systems will be publicised in the near future.

Two land plots in Hulhumale’ have been designated as a temporary parking zone. One land plot is situated in Hulhumale’ Phase I, while the other is in Phase II. The land plot in Hulhumale’ Phase II is designated for unregistered vehicles or those registered to other zones. The Ministry disclosed that over 300 vehicles have been parked in this area. 

Meanwhile, the land plot in Hulhumale’ Phase I is to cater four-wheeled vehicles. Of the 90,000 sqft land, 50,000 sqft is designated for taxis while the remaining land is allocated for vehicles which are towed after being parked illegally.

The Transport Ministry stated that these land plots are being utilised to resolve the parking issues and road congestion, and to prevent such vehicle owners from incurring fines.

SOURCE : PSM

Gov’t aims to increase revenue from tourism to USD 7 billion

Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has revealed that the government aims to increase the revenue generated through the tourism industry to USD 7 billion, during this tenure.

Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Minister Faisal reiterated the government’s goal of boosting the revenue generated from tourism. The tourism industry contributes the greatest portion of the state revenue. The Minister stated that the government has adopted plans to boost the revenue to USD 7 billion, adding that efforts are also underway to increase tourist arrivals to four million annually.

Furthermore, Minister Faisal emphasised the efforts to increase the tourist arrival from China and India. He said that while over 200,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives, the aim is to increase the number of tourists welcomed from China to 300,000, breaking the 2019 record. In 2019, the Maldives welcomed a total of 284,000 tourists from China. This represents the largest influx of tourists from the Chinese market to date.

While arrivals from India was lower than average for the year, arrivals from India have increased in the past few weeks. Minister Faisal expressed optimism that this trend will continue during the upcoming high season.

SOURCE : PSM

WAMCO to offer waste disposal for vessel seeking bunkering services

Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) has signed an agreement with Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) to provide waste disposal services to the vessels seeking international bunkering services. Under the agreement, WAMCO and MPL will collaborate to provide efficient waste disposal services to the vessels. As such, MPL will be responsible with waste collection and hand over the waste to WAMCO for waste management.

Addressing the media, following the signing of the agreement, MPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim stated that this service will be provided in a designated facility, which will be established on a nearby island. He stated that this initiative will play a pivotal role in boosting both, MPL’s and WAMCO’s revenue.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of WAMCO Mujthaba Jaleel stated that the corporation will offer “used oil” management services as well. The collected waste, he said, would be transported to the Regional Waste Management Centre in Kunburudhoo, Alif Dhaal Atoll.

These services would be provided by the employees of WAMCO from Kulhudhuffushi City, contributing to the local economy. He added that the coporation’s landing craft will be used in this process, as well.

The launch of bunkering services is a part of the government’s broader efforts of diversifying the economy.

SOURCE : PSM

MPL’s sea-to-air service connects with Emirates

Maldives Ports Limited’s (MPL) sea-to-air cargo services have connected with Emirates Airlines.

Sea-to-air cargo services were introduced by MPL in collaboration with Maldives State Shipping (MSS) and global airlines, involves importing goods from other countries and re-exporting them to various destinations. Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have also joined to provide these services.

According to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Emirates has sent 12 Unit Load Device (ULD) goods from Milan, Italy. Emirates will provide flights between the Maldives and Dubai, connecting the Maldives with several European countries.

MPL introduced sea-to-air cargo services in March, with the first shipment sent in May. The first shipment was a garment shipment from Bangladesh. The shipment was sent to Germany via Turkish Airlines.

Sea-to-air transshipment services were introduced, aiming to shorten the duration involved in shipping merchandise by sea and provide prompt assistance. This Hybrid Model aims to meet demands within the commercial industry efficiently. The key benefits Maldives will receive from this service is the increased number of flights to various countries, especially European destinations, resulting from this service, typically offered by foreign countries to expedite the export process.

SOURCE : PSM

IUM announces “Riveli 2024” competition to promote research-oriented society

The Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) has announced a special competition for researchers titled “Riveli 2024,” aimed at promoting a research-oriented society. The competition is open to postgraduate students currently enrolled in universities and colleges.

IUM said that participants may submit research conducted by others in their field of interest. The submissions must have achieved either distinction or high distinction. Students will also have five minutes to present their research using a PowerPoint presentation, and the competition will be judged based on both the quality of the research and the presentations of the students.

The “Riveli 2024” competition will take place on October 26, with a prize of USD 324 for the winner. Students interested in participating can apply via a Google form available on the IUM website. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, had on many occasions, advocated for fostering research as a foundation for development and supports this initiative to inspire a passion for research among Maldivian students.

SOURCE : PSM

Minister Shafeeu emphasises teacher development for educational goals

Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has emphasised the need for teacher development to achieve educational goals. He made the statement while speaking at the third Education Ministerial Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO). The conference took place in Muscat, Oman, from October 2-3.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Shafeeu highlighted the high illiteracy rates among children under 10 years old and called for urgent efforts to address the issue. As such, he referred to the roadmap from the Transforming Education Summit, which underscores the importance of implementing strategies to tackle such challenges. He also noted that the objectives of ICESCO align with those of the Maldivian government.

Additionally, Minister Shafeeu acknowledged that the Maldives has successfully met its educational targets at both the primary and secondary levels. He, however, stressed the need for further development in the areas of technology and teacher training.

Recognising that teachers are the backbone of the education system, Minister Shafeeu cited UNESCO’s projections, which indicate that an additional 40 million teachers will be needed globally by 2030 to fulfill primary and secondary education requirements. He also pointed out the shortage of qualified teachers in Islamic countries and called for efforts to ensure the safety of Palestinian citizens, the removal of barriers to education for Palestinian students, and justice for children in the region.

SOURCE : PSM

Fuvahmulah City Council launches pilot project to test smart street lighting

The Fuvahmulah City Council has announced the launch of a pilot project to test the conversion of street and public lights to smart lighting, aiming to modernise and enhance the city’s infrastructure.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to transform Fuvahmulah into a more technology-driven, eco-friendly city. Through the initiative, the city will implement smart lighting, enabling remote control of street and public lights, allowing for efficient management, including turning lights on and off and detecting any issues. So far, two streetlights and four playing fields (with 20 lights) have been converted to smart lighting in Fuvahmulah.

Mayor of Fuvahmulah City Ismail Rafeeq noted that these smart lights will be more environmentally friendly than traditional streetlights and are projected to save between USD 65,000 and USD 130,000 annually, significantly reducing the city’s lighting costs. After the testing phase, the city plans to fully switch to smart lighting starting next year, with a goal of completing the transition within two years.

The Fuvahmulah City Council said that the project initially started with its own budget but will rely on donor funding in the future. In addition, 95 percent of the services offered by the council are now available online to improve accessibility. The “Afun City” portal has been launched to facilitate communication regarding municipal services, and another portal, “Afun Ado,” has been introduced to encourage public engagement in city affairs. These efforts align with the council’s broader vision to transform Fuvahmulah into a smart city.

SOURCE : PSM

Met Office cautions against strong winds and rough seas for all atolls

Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has issued a cautionary advice, warning against rough seas and strong gusts of winds for the upcoming five days. The Met Office cautioned against small tidal waves in which some islands may experience following the rise in sea levels.

Following the unfavourable weather conditions, the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for islands between Haa Alif Atoll and Laamu Atoll, effective till 1500hrs. It forecasted squally showers, strong winds and rough seas for many of the islands, particularly those situated in the central region. As such, the Met Office anticipated that islands in the central region will experience wind with speeds ranging from 15 mph to 25 mph on average, while winds with speeds of 13 mph to 23 mph are expected in the southern islands. Additionally, gusts of wind are forecasted to vary between ranging 45 mph to 55 mph in the clouds.

Therefore, the MET Office urged all individuals, especially seafarers, to be cautious due to the unfavourable weather conditions. It further advised individuals to take precautions beforehand, to mitigate the damage caused by the adverse weather conditions.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that several households in Addu City have reported flooding inside the households, following the torrential downpour in the southern islands, during the past 48 hours. Addu City experienced heavy showers since October 4, with Gan experiencing 129 mm of rain.

SOURCE : PSM