Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 258

Discover latest updates of the Government

Author

The President's Office
March 16, 2025

Date: March 16, 2025 | Issue 258

The President appoints member to the Employment Tribunal

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Hikmah Ahmed Nizar to the Employment Tribunal.

The appointment was made at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office on Sunday afternoon. Prior to the appointment, Hikmah Ahmed Nizar took oath in the presence of the President, with High Court Judge Usthaz Hassan Shafeeu administering the oath. The President formally presented the appointment letter to Hikmah during the ceremony.

Hikmah previously served at the Tribunal from 2020 to 2024 as a Senior Administrative Officer. She holds a Masters in Public Administration and Bachelor of Shariah and Law from Avid College.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

Fenaka tasked to complete long-delayed water, sewerage projects across three islands

Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has commissioned Fenaka Corporation to complete long-pending water supply and sewerage projects on three islands. The stalled initiatives, situated on Maaungoodhoo and Narudhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, as well as Lhohi in Noonu Atoll, will now be overseen by the state-run utilities provider.

The agreement was formalised during a recent signing ceremony, where State Minister Hassan Rasheed represented the ministry and Managing Director Mohamed Najah acted on behalf of the corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fenaka Corporation has been allocated 540 days to finalise the remaining works. Ministry officials have revealed that the total cost of these projects will reach USD 7.84 million. The expenses, broken down by island, include USD 3.02 million designated for Maaungoodhoo, USD 2.39 million for Narudhoo, and USD 2.45 million for Lhohi.

SOURCE : PSM

Maldives creates historic dive site with submerged Air Maldives aircraft

Two Dornier 228 aircraft from the era of Air Maldives has been submerged in picnic island, Kudagiri’s lagoon to create a historic dive site, Kudagiri Dhoonier Wreck.

The site was developed as a collaboration between Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Limited (MMPRC), Housing Development Corporation Limited (HDC) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), under the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the Maldives.

The submerged aircraft were once part of Air Maldives, the Maldives’ first national airline and flag carrier which ceased operations in 2000. According to HDC, the name Dhoonier combines the Dhivehi word Dhooni, translated as bird, with Dornier, representing the aircraft as a bird that symbolises the beginning of the Maldives’ aviation industry.

HDC said the company will be undertaking coral planting to create an artificial reef ecosystem to increase the site’s appeal to tourists and visitors. The site will be maintained by HDC.

Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim, HDC’s Managing Director Mohamed Mauroof Jameel and Ooreedoo Maldives’ senior officials were in attendance at the event held to launch the dive site.

Government agencies are undertaking significant efforts to strengthen the tourism sector and promote the Maldives as a top tourism destination. The government aims to host 2.3 million tourists this year.

SOURCE: PSM

New law proposed to streamline animal import, re-export policy 

Animal Keeping and Animal Protection Bill once in effect will streamline and further strengthen the existing policy on import and re-export of animals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has said. 

The bill is designed to streamline regulations and standards to facilitate sustainable and safe animal husbandry, breeding, buying and selling of animals in the Maldives. 

Speaking on PSM News’ “Raajje Miadhu” programme, Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Ali Safwan Ibrahim responded to questions raised over the bill criticising the government for prioritising animal rights over people. 

Safwan insisted that this bill also ensures the safety of people as it is based on international standards for animal keeping and welfare. 

“The truth is that we are proposing this bill to ensure the safety of people as well. This bill will ensure that import laws are properly streamlined to prevent the import of animals suffering diseases. This bill will also give more protection to our ecosystem,” he explained. 

The State Minister also pointed out that the proposed law will stamp out animal cruelty which he said has no place in a civilised society. 

According to Safwan, the bill will address concerns about the current regulations for importing and re-exporting animals. 

In that regard, the proposed new law will include important provisions to address the issue of unlimited import and breeding of animals in the Maldives, he added. 

“The biggest protection will come after animals are imported. We have already held discussions on import regulations. The current import regulations allow unlimited import of cats. There is no control. And breeding is as they want. That’s why we are seeing cross breeding. So the new law will address such issues,” Safwan said. 

The draft law will establish procedures for the medical treatment of animals to ensure the health and well-being of imported and domesticated animals and to protect them from diseases transmitted to and from animals and humans. 

The import of animals into Maldives, possession, import and trade of animal feed and medicines will be required to be registered under this bill. 

Under the bill, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare is responsible for formulating animal welfare policies and enforcing the law. The bill also requires the government to establish port quarantine facilities and animal sanctuaries at ports where animals are imported into the Maldives. 

The bill also outlines measures to be taken for neglect, abandonment and cruelty towards animals which includes hefty fines 

The draft law comes amid mounting complaints of stray cats, especially around the capital Male’. The increasing number of stray cats around the capital has prompted the government to establish a special cat shelter which is now in operation in Hulhumale’. 

The proposed law has been moved in Parliament and is currently being reviewed by the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee.

SOURCE : PSM 

MIFCO seeks $64 million from IDB to finance capacity building project 

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has applied for USD64.65 million equivalent from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to finance its mega capacity building project. 

MIFCO said the funds will be utilised in its Maldives Fish Sector Capacity Strengthening Project while part of the proceeds will go towards payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

This project will be jointly financed by the Maldives government, MIFCO said. 

According to MIFCO, the project comprises seven components which increasing cold storage capacity through the development of a 1000 metric tonne cold storage with 50 metric tonne brine freezing at Ihavandhoo and a 500 MT metric tonne cold storage with 50 metric tonne brine freezing at Addu Fisheries Complex to preserve fish quality and reduce spoilage. 

Enhancing fish processing capacity by expanding the Kandu-Oiy-Giri cannery facility with a 35 metric tonne Fish Processing Unit and Power Generation Upgrading, along with constructing staff accommodations at Felivaru (250 units) and Kooddoo (100 units) to ensure international living standards are also part of the project. 

The project also includes capacity development, including training programs for staff and stakeholders, sensitisation of fishermen and developing a 10-year business plan. 

According to MIFCO, specific procurement notices for contracts to be bid under the IDB’s international competitive bidding for contracts and consultancy services will be announced, as they become available. 

The government has initiated several key projects to advance the fisheries sector, including the establishment of cold storages and processing plants. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Government signs contracts to complete unfinished school projects across 19 islands 

The Ministry of Education has signed agreements with three state-owned companies to complete unfinished school projects in 19 islands across the Maldives. 

The contracts were awarded to the Road Development Corporation Limited (RDC), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) and Fenaka Corporation Limited at a special ceremony held at the Education Ministry. 

Islands Assigned to Fenaka Corporation: 

  • Kanduhulhudhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll 

  • Vaikaradhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll 

  • Veymandoo, Thaa Atoll 

  • Omadhoo, Thaa Atoll 

  • Feevah, Shaviyani Atoll 

  • Goidhoo, Shaviyani Atoll 

  • Kunahandhoo, Laamu Atoll 

  • Kon’dey, Gaafu Alifu Atoll 

  • Bile’dhoo, Faafu Atoll 

  • Fee’ali, Faafu Atoll 

  • Fulhadhoo, Baa Atoll 

  • Goidhoo, Baa Atoll 

Islands Assigned to MTCC: 

  • Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll 

  • Uligamu, Haa Alif Atoll 

  • Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll 

  • Fulidhoo, Vaavu Atoll 

Islands Assigned to RDC: 

  • Filladhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll 

  • Hulhudhuffaaru, Raa Atoll 

The agreements were signed on behalf of the Education Ministry by the Minister of Education, Dr Ismail Shafeeu. MTCC’s Managing Director Deputy Commissioner of Police Retired Ahmed Saudi signed on behalf of the company, while FENAKA was represented by its Managing Director Mohamed Najah. RDC’s Managing Director Brigadier General Retired Ali Zuhair signed on behalf of the corporation. 

SOURCE : PSM

Waste reform gains traction as initiatives on 109 islands move forward, says Minister Ibrahim 

The government has so far contracted the development of waste management centres on 109 islands as part of its efforts to tackle waste management challenges, according to Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment. He made this announcement during a ceremony to award contracts for facilities on 75 islands. 

Described as the administration’s largest and most comprehensive programme addressing waste-related issues in the outer islands, the government has said that the initiative marks a significant step in its broader agenda to establish sustainable and efficient waste management systems across the nation. Projects to develop waste management facilities on the 75 islands were entrusted to three state-owned enterprises: Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Road Development Corporation (RDC), and FENAKA Corporation. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Ibrahim highlighted the profound impact of the directive issued by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to ensure that all inhabited islands receive waste management centres customised to their unique needs. This phase of the programme not only includes the construction of new facilities but also the renovation and upgrading of existing centres. 

SOURCE : PSM

SDFC invites applications for “Viyafaari Ehee “ loan 

SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) has opened the opportunity to apply for its ‘Viyafaari Ehee’ loan. 

The ‘Viyafaari Ehee’” loan product is designed to provide financial assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in fulfilling their short-term business requirements. 

SDFC said the opportunity is open for existing businesses with a minimum of one year in operation. The loan can be utilised to purchase goods and meet operational requirements. Applications can be made on the SDFC website with a maximum loan amount of USD97,276 available for interested businesses. However, loans exceeding USD45,395 will require collateral. 

The loan will be offered with an interest rate of 9.5% per annum with a maximum grace period of six months and a repayment period of up to five years. 

Established in 2019, SDFC is a specialised financing institution focused on providing financial support to MSMEs in the Maldives. 

Owned by the government along with the Male’ City Council, Fuvahmulah City Council and Addu City Council, SDFC enables MSMEs to obtain financing to support their businesses while leading to healthy competition between financial institutions. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Hanimaadhoo to Bengaluru flights launching this May: Maldivian 

The national carrier, Maldivian, has announced the introduction of direct flights between Hanimaadhoo and Bengaluru, India. This new route is set to commence operations on 15 May, creating a crucial connection between northern Maldives and one of India’s major metropolitan hubs. 

According to the airline, this service is expected to significantly ease travel for Indian tourists seeking to visit the northern atolls of the Maldives. It will also provide a more convenient travel option for residents in northern Maldives, who will no longer need to transit through the capital, Malé, to reach India. 

Tickets for the Hanimaadhoo-Bengaluru route will be available for booking starting 16 March. According to Maldivian, it has scheduled twice-weekly flights for this route, operating on Sundays and Thursdays. 

Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian, noted the airline’s existing flights between Hanimaadhoo and Thiruvananthapuram, India, which operate twice weekly. He described the introduction of the Bengaluru route as part of Maldivian’s broader effort to increase its international presence and strengthen connections between the islands of the Maldives and key international cities. 

SOURCE : PSM 

STELCO unveils new powerhouse in Hulhumalé in preparation for peak demand season 

State Electric Company (STELCO) has taken a significant step to meet rising electricity demands in Hulhumalé by commissioning a new backup powerhouse ahead of the peak consumption season. 

Named as the Hulhumalé Annex 2 Powerhouse, the facility was developed in record time. Spanning a 48,000-square-foot plot, the powerhouse is set to reinforce Hulhumalé’s energy capacity, anticipating increased usage following Ramadan. 

STELCO celebrated the milestone with an inauguration ceremony attended by Managing Director Hussain Fahmy. During his address, Fahmy commended the extraordinary commitment of the company’s staff, highlighting their ability to deliver results under challenging time constraints. 

This year, electricity consumption during Ramadan is expected to remain stable, according to Fahmy, a break from historical trends. He attributed this stability to a directive by President Dr Muizzu to close government offices during the final ten days of Ramadan, a period that aligns with school holidays. 

Despite the steadiness during Ramadan, Fahmy highlighted the challenges ahead. He warned that electricity demand is projected to rise sharply in the post-Ramadan period, driven by the onset of hot weather. To address this, Fahmy assured that STELCO is fully prepared to maintain an uninterrupted power supply during this critical time. 

The Hulhumalé Annex 2 Powerhouse is equipped with 12 generator sets, each capable of producing 1.6 megawatts. Seven of these generators are already operational, while the remaining five are scheduled to be activated during Ramadan. 

Once fully functional, STELCO has said, the facility will enhance Hulhumalé’s energy infrastructure with a total installed capacity of 19.2 megawatts. While capacity-related outages are not anticipated, Fahmy urged residents to remain mindful of potential technical disruptions. 

SOURCE : PSM