Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 247

The Administration aims to provide solace to the hearts of the people every Ramadan, says the President

 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu expressed his Administration’s commitment to providing comfort and solace to the people during Ramadan through acts of kindness, compassion and generosity.

He expressed this commitment in his annual address to the people of the Maldives, extending greetings and good wishes to all Maldivians on the occasion of the Ramadan 1446. The President stated that the Administration’s efforts and initiatives to ensure housing opportunities, fulfill the people’s needs, and enhance their happiness will be accelerated daily.

He encouraged everyone to embrace the unique opportunity of Ramadan to cultivate positive changes in their lives and relationships. He emphasised the importance of setting a good example for children and youth by instilling virtuous values. He urged all to take the first step this month by avoiding self-harm and unhealthy habits such as smoking, refraining from spreading lies and deceit, and striving to lead a successful life as a decent human being.

Reflecting on the month of Ramadan, during which the Holy Quran was revealed and the highest reward of Laylat-ul-Qadr is bestowed, he described it as a season brimming with blessings. The President highlighted that fasting during Ramadan, the focus on worship, and the continued assistance, patience, and compassion extended to others are all profound enlightenments to the body and soul.

He added that Ramadan also reminds us that the ongoing security of our nation is intertwined with our sacred faith in Islam. Reflecting on the blessings Almighty Allah has bestowed upon the Maldivian people, the greatness of peace, mercy, and the kindness of Almighty Allah, the President urged the people to pray for the entire Islamic Ummah, especially for the less fortunate Muslims facing distress and calamities. He called on everyone to assist Palestinians, as well as other Muslim communities and families enduring war, violence, and famine, as much as possible.

He concluded his message by praying for Maldives to continue to receive good fortune and prosperity bestowed by every Ramadan, for the Maldives to remain in Islamic faith forever, and for the people to remain good, virtuous people living prosperous lives.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

President Dr Muizzu conveys Ramadan felicitations to Islamic countries

His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed warmest felicitations of the holy month of Ramadan 1446H from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the leaders, governments and the people of Islamic countries.

In his message addressed to the foreign leaders of these countries, President Dr Muizzu highlighted Ramadan as a time of spiritual renewal, reflection and unity and as a month that inspires strengthening of faith, compassion and generosity. He expressed hope that the bonds of friendship and commitment to service would grow stronger during this Ramadan and prayed for Almighty Allah’s infinite blessings of harmony, good health and continued success for the leaders and people of these countries.

President Dr Muizzu also took the opportunity to call upon the Muslim Ummah to mobilise efforts to ease the suffering of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza this Ramadan, and to ensure a just and lasting solution for the cause of the Palestinian people in their fight for self-determination and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 SOURCE : The President’s Office

Maldives condemns Israel blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza 

The Maldives government Monday condemned Israel’s decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, insisting that it is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said the Israeli government’s decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

“The Maldives reiterates its call on the international community to put an end to these grave violations by Israel, activate international accountability mechanisms, and ensure the safe, continuous, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip,” the statement said. 

Maldives in the statement, also reaffirmed its support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, stressing that a just and lasting resolution to the conflict can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Announcing early on Sunday it was halting the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza, Israel warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas did not agree to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. 

Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of seeking to undermine the truce, which went into effect on January 19 and has largely held despite mutual accusations of violations and no agreement on its next phases. 

SOURCE : PSM 

President Dr Muizzu conveys Independence Day greetings to the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina 

His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed greetings and good wishes of the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Chair of the Presidency Her Excellency Željka Cvijanović, Chair of the Council of Ministers Her Excellency Borjana Krišto, the Government and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion of their Independence Day. 

In separate messages to the leaders, President Dr Muizzu also extended his personal best wishes for their good health and happiness, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992. 

SOURCE : The President’s Office 

Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel sends Liberation Day greetings to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel sends a message of felicitations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georg Danielov Georgiev, on the occasion of the Liberation Day of Bulgaria. 

Minister’s message reads as follows: 

“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives, I would like to extend sincere good wishes to Your Excellency, the People and the Government of Bulgaria, on the auspicious occasion of the Bulgarian Liberation Day. 

I look forward to working closely with you to enhance and deepen the cooperation between the Maldives and Bulgaria in the years ahead. 

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.” 

SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel sends Independence Day greetings to the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel sends a message of felicitations to the Minister Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Minister’s message reads as follows: 

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Maldives, and on my own behalf, I extend warm felicitations to Your Excellency, the Government, and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as you celebrate your Independence Day. 

I am confident that the ties of friendship between our two countries will be further strengthened in the years ahead. 

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration” 

SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Maldivian’s wide-body aircraft begins operations to India 

The national flag carrier, Maldivian’s first wide-body aircraft, an A330, has made flights to Cochin and Trivandrum of India. 

According to Maldivian, the flights were introduced to accommodate increased demand during the holiday season. Cochin and Trivandrum are the cities where a large number of Maldivians travel for medical treatment. 

Previously, the Cochin and Trivandrum routes were operated by Maldivian’s ATR 72 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline said it would continue to carry passengers on the A330 if passenger demand remains high for the routes. 

With 264 seats, the wide-body aircraft delivered to Maldivian in January operates direct flights to three destinations in China. The national airline is also working on acquiring another wide-body aircraft to expand operations to European destinations. 

SOURCE : PSM

Government to spend USD 10.3 million on water and electricity discounts 

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has announced that the government will spend USD 10.3 million to provide discounts on electricity and water bills this Ramadan. 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that a discount on electricity and water bills will be provided by the government this Ramadan, similar to last year. The decision was announced by the President on 23 February. 

The government has undertaken several efforts since last year to alleviate the difficulties faced by the public and bring ease during Ramadan. The provision of discounts on water and electricity bills is one such initiative. Last year, the government utilised USD 8.43 million for the purpose. 

Speaking to PSM News, the Environment Ministry’s State Minister Dr Muaviyath Mohamed said the month of Ramadan typically sees increased expenditure in households compared to other months. He stated that President Muizzu has made it a priority to assist the people and bring down costs. The President decided to give discounts on electricity and water bills for that purpose, he stated, adding that the government will spend USD 10.3 million to provide discounts on water and electricity this year. 

“If the bill is higher than the average from previous months, the increase will be covered by the discount. Every household will get at least 10 percent discount on electricity and water,” Dr Muaviyath said. 

Speaking on a PSM News programme, Director General of Tourism and Environment Ahmed Ali said that the use of electricity consuming appliances increases during the month of Ramadan. He stated that the President’s decision to provide discounts on water and electricity bills will alleviate the difficulties faced by the people as a result of added appliance use. 

“During Ramadan, time spent at home increases. Air conditioners (AC) are used to stay in a comfort zone. The decision to provide discounts in Ramadan seeks to alleviate any burden on the people as a result of this,“ Ahmed Ali said. 

In addition to providing discounts on electricity and water bills during Ramadan, the President has also distributed a case of canned fish to each household across Maldives as a Ramadan incentive. The government is also working to maintain food prices. The President has also declared the last 10 days of Ramadan as public holidays to devote time to family and worship. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Government seeks technical advisors for Addu Bridge Project 

The government is seeking technical advisors for the construction of the bridge linking southernmost Addu City’s Hithadhoo and Hulhumeedhoo. 

The Ministry of Finance and Planning has announced an invitation for interested parties to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for conducting surveys, preparing the bridge design and tender documents, and offering consultancy services including technical specifications for the Addu bridge project. The deadline for EOI submission is 24 March. 

According to the announcement, documents proving the expertise and capacity of the company should be submitted along with the EOI. The technical capabilities of the company, details of the work done in the field, the value of the completed works, the skills and abilities of the company’s employees and relevant information should be submitted. The Finance MInistry said shortlisted companies would be invited to submit bids for the work. 

The Arab Contractors, an Egyptian company, has already been awarded a contract to conduct a feasibility study for the bridge project. The planned bridge will span 14-15 km, including causeways. The government aims to complete the entire project within the current term. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Maldives welcomes over 200,000 tourists in February 

Maldives welcomed over 200,000 tourists in February, official tourism statistics has shown. 

According to official tourism statistics, 214,091 tourists visited Maldives in February which slightly below the 217,392 arrivals during the same period last year. 

This is the second month in a row, the globally renowned tourist destination has crossed the 200,000 mark. In January, Maldives welcomed 214,863 tourists to its shores. 

According to the figures, 428,954 tourists visited Maldives by the end of February which is an increase of 4.4 percent compared to the 409,777 tourists during the same period last year. 

The highest single day arrival of tourists was on 16 February with 9,518 arrivals, which also happens to be the highest single day arrivals record so far in 2025. 

Statistics also showed that China has continued to dominate the numbers as the top source tourist market for the island nation with over 50,000 Chinese visitors so far this year, followed by Russia and the United Kingdom. 

The world renowned tourist destination in 2024, witnessed the highest number of tourist arrivals in a single year in its 52 year tourism history. 

According to tourism figures, a total of 2,047,435 tourists had holidayed in the Maldives in 2024. This is a nine percent increase from the 1,878,543 tourists from 2023. 

This marks the first time Maldives has welcomed two million tourists to its shores in a calendar year. 

The government aims to improve tourism occupancy and bring in 15 percent more tourists this year than last year, while boosting tourism revenue to USD5 billion. 

SOURCE : PSM

Minister urges guesthouses to respect Ramadan customs in food provision 

Adam Shareef Umar, the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, has called upon guesthouses and tourism facilities on local islands to rigorously comply with government guidelines regarding the provision of food and beverages to tourists during the holy month of Ramadan. 

In a recent social media post, Minister Umar underscored the necessity for local tourism establishments, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants to adhere to specific guidelines when serving food to foreigners during Ramadan. These guidelines dictate that dining arrangements for tourists be made discreetly, out of public view, in order to respect local customs and traditions. 

Minister Umar stressed the importance of compliance, stating that it is imperative that all guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants adhere to the established guidelines when catering to foreign tourists during Ramadan. This includes ensuring that dining arrangements are made out of sight of local residents, he added. 

The rise in tourism on local islands has underscored the need to follow the rules, regulations, and guidelines set by the government. Adherence to these protocols ensures that services provided to tourists are in line with prescribed procedures, respecting local customs and promoting a harmonious coexistence between tourists and residents. 

According to the local government ministry, several complaints have been reported by concerned residents regarding food arrangements made for foreign tourists staying at guesthouses. The minister’s call to action addresses these concerns and aims to ensure that local tourism practices align with community expectations. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Tourism Minister departs for ITB Berlin to promote Maldives as top destination 

The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim has departed to Germany to attend Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin, ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism fair. 

This year’s ITB Fair will take place from 4 to 6 March at the Berlin Expocity Centre. The Minister is scheduled to hold key discussions with bothnational and international industry partners during the visit. 

The ITB Fair is an annual event for which the Maldives extensively prepares in advance. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and industry stakeholders, showcases the Maldives as a premier tourism destination at the event. The Tourism Ministry said similar to previous years, the Maldives will be promoted as the Most Popular Tourism Destination in the World. 

The year 2024 was a record-breaking year for the Maldives in terms of tourism arrivals. The Maldives hosted over two million tourists for the first time last year, with the government setting a target to host 2.3 million tourists for the current year. 

SOURCE : PSM