Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 256

President and First Lady host foreign diplomats for Iftar

His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed hosted resident high commissioners, ambassadors and representatives of international organisations for Iftar today.

At the function held at the President’s Official Residence, Muleeaage, the dignitaries paid their respects to the President and First Lady and exchanged greetings with other guests.

Vice President His Excellency Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, his spouse Madam Aishath Afreen Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Dr Abdulla Khaleel, and other senior Government officials were also in attendance. 

 SOURCE : The President’s Office

President places Maldives International Financial Services Authority under the Ministry of Finance and Planning

 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has designated the Maldives International Financial Services Authority as an institution operating under the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The President made this decision under the authority vested in him by Article 116(a) of the Constitution. This follows recommendations from studies conducted by relevant parties on developing an international financial sector in the Maldives, which advised that regulatory activities for international financial centres should be carried out by a separate institution operating under the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Consequently, the Maldives International Financial Services Authority, which was previously functioning under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, will operate under the Ministry of Finance and Planning from March 11, 2025, as announced in Directive No. 5/2025, issued on March 13, 2025.

This directive has been published on the President’s Office website.

 SOURCE : The President’s Office

President specifies Dhivehi and English names for inhabited islands, atolls, and atoll administrative codes for official documents

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has specified the Dhivehi and English names for inhabited islands, atolls, and atoll administrative codes to be used in official documents.

Following this decision, all official documentation, publications, information management systems, databases, websites, and social media platforms must follow the specified Dhivehi and English names for islands, atolls, and administrative codes as listed in decree number 2/2025 (Establishing inhabited islands in Maldives).

The directive, issued on March 13, 2025, is published on the President’s Office website.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

Gov’t explores avenues to enhance MITDC’s role in tourism

The Government has engaged in discussions with the Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC) to enhance the state-owned firm’s role in the country’s tourism sector.

The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim, met with MITDC’s Managing Director, Ahmed Niyaz. The discussions centred on strengthening the firm’s role in the tourism sector.

During the meeting, Minister Thoriq highlighted MITDC’s crucial role in the country’s tourism industry and expressed the Government’s desire to improve the firm’s capacity to increase its contributions to the tourism sector.

MITDC Managing Director Niyaz assured the Minister that the company remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to enhance the country’s tourism industry.

SOURCE : PSM

Visit Maldives signs strategic partnership with Liverpool FC, positioning the Maldives as official tourist destination partner 

Maldives records USD 23.5 million in import-export revenue for February 

Maldives Customs Service has reported an import-export revenue of USD 23.5 million for February. 

According to Customs statistics, the Maldives’ import-export revenue was USD 23.5 million in February, 26.7 per cent more than the USD 18.6 million recorded the month before. 

The statistics show that USD 85.3 million worth of goods were imported into the Maldives in January, considerably less than the USD 337 million. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, China, Singapore, and Sri Lanka were the largest importers in February. Food items, fuel, machinery, and electronics topped the list of major imports. 

In February, import sources were as follows: 

• UAE: USD 87 million 

• India: USD 48.5 million 

• China: USD 39.3 million 

• Singapore: USD 22.3 million 

• Sri Lanka: USD1 5.6 million 

According to the figures, exports into the country in February stood at USD 14.5 million, compared to USD 9.3 million the month before. 

According to customs data, Thailand, the United Kingdom, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh were the top export destinations in February. The island nation’s primary export is fish products. 

The top export destinations were as follows: 

• Thailand: USD 8.7 million 

• UK: USD 2.1 million 

• India: USD 648,508 

• Vietnam: USD 518,806 

• Bangladesh: USD 389,105 

In February, canned tuna exports generated USD 2.3 million in revenue, while frozen fish brought in USD 7.4 million. 

SOURCE : PSM 

First Lady attends the opening ceremony of ‘Mahrajan Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem 1446’ 

First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed attended the opening ceremony of ‘Mahrajan Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem 1446’ on Wednesday night. The ceremony took place at the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). 

During the ceremony, three students from the university and a Qari from Egypt recited the Holy Qur’an. Additionally, Dr Ali Zaahir, the Vice Chancellor of the university and lecturer at the Kulliyyah of Qur’an and Sunnah, Al-Sheikh Abdul Azeez Hussain, and Nimal Mohamed, the Dean of the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, discussed the Tafseer and related topics of the verses recited during the ceremony. 

The First Lady presented the mementoes to the Qur’an reciters at the ceremony. 

Since 2006, the ‘Mahrajan Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem 1446’ programme has been held annually throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The Kulliyyah of Quran and Sunnah initiated it at the Islamic University of Maldives. The Mahrajan aims to promote the beautiful recitation (Maqamat) of the Holy Qur’an and to spread knowledge about it. 

SOURCE : PSM 

MTCC opens Henveiru Ferry Terminal to private speedboat operators 

State-owned transportation firm Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has officially opened the Henveiru Ferry Terminal to private ferry operators, following President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s directive. 

The harbours of Male’ City are the busiest in the country, with hundreds of vessels docking and departing daily. Space constraints are the biggest challenge faced in loading and unloading goods and boarding and disembarking from vessels, and the issue has been a concern for ferry and launch operators. 

In response to these concerns, President Dr Muizzu requested that MTCC open the Henveiru and Hulhumale Ferry Terminals to private ferry operators. 

Following an announcement by MTCC, seven private speedboat operators had shown interest in utilising the ferry terminals. According to MTCC, the interested speedboat operators plan to cover routes to Fenfushi, Maamigili, and Dhidhdhoo in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll; Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Gulhi, Gaafaru, and Kaashidhoo in Kaafu Atoll; and Thulhaadhoo, Hithaadhoo, Goidhoo, Fehendhoo, and Fulhadhoo in Baa Atoll. 

During a ceremony to open the terminal to public operators, MTCC’s CEO and former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Retd) Ahmed Saudy said utilising the Henveiru ferry terminal by private operators will make service provision much more manageable for operators and passengers. 

However, Saudy did reveal that private operators have not been very interested in the Hulhumale Ferry Terminal thus far. 

“We believe that when the operators benefit from this, they will change the ferry schedules. For example, if someone has to get off at Hulhumale’ en route to Male’, they will have the opportunity to drop them off first before coming to Male’, Saudy explained. 

He urged the private operators to pay attention to safety issues due to the busy nature of the Henveiru Terminal. 

MTCC estimates that the terminal will be able to accommodate 15 speedboat ferries per day carrying about 2,000 passengers. The Henveiru terminal can accommodate five speedboats at a time, while the Hulhumale terminal can accommodate three. 

In addition, each vessel will have 30 minutes between the estimated point of departure and arrival at the jetty. A special waiting area will be arranged inside the terminal for passengers, and it will be equipped with washroom facilities and drinking water for their convenience. 

MTCC said it would improve the quality of service based on feedback and consultation from passengers and the public. 

SOURCE : PSM

Contracts secured for healthcare infrastructure projects in nine atolls 

Accountability and integrity highlighted for Maldives Correctional Services 

The Maldives Correctional Services plays a pivotal role in the country’s criminal justice system, and it is essential for the organisation to maintain the trust and confidence of the people, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr Maryam Mariya has stated. She made the remark while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 30th Basic Training Course of the Institute for Correctional Studies. 

In her address, the Minister acknowledged the work of Correctional Services as mentally demanding but noted that officers must approach the role with honesty and sincerity. While patience and loyalty must be maintained even in the most difficult environments, she noted that the training received during the course is the basis of this. The lessons learned in the training must be remembered, and the training must be trusted, she said. 

“The Maldives Correctional Services is a key stakeholder in our criminal justice system and the people’s expectations are high. Therefore, it is our responsibility to uphold the trust and confidence of the people,” the Minister said. 

A total of 33 students graduated from the 30th Basic Training Course of the Institute for Correctional Studies. The program is conducted to provide prison officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for their role and is focused on ensuring that the officers are disciplined, character-driven, and knowledgeable individuals while also strengthening the prison system. 

The training program, designed over eight modules, includes physical training, leadership classes, ethics, law and regulations, and modules related to prison officers’ duties. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Felidhoo’s water and sewerage project reaches completion 

The Government has completed the water and sewerage project in Felidhoo, Vaavu Atoll. 

According to the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, the project included the installation of two 35-tonne Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants, two 265-tonne drinking water storage tanks, and a 500-tonne rainwater storage tank. It also established two pumping stations, a 4.2-kilometre water network, and a 3.7-kilometre sewerage network. In addition, 30-kilowatt solar panels were installed. 

The Construction Ministry said installing the water and sewerage systems in Felidhoo has now been handed over to the operator. Services are currently being provided under the defects liability period. 

The project commenced in 2023 and was financed by the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank). Kalpataru Projects International Limited, based in India, was the contractor for the work. 

Last month, the establishment of water and sewerage systems in Fares Mathilda, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Isdhoo, and Gan, Laamu Atoll, was also completed.

SOURCE : PSM