Newsroom
Stories under the Maldives Today byline come from our newsroom in Malé, with contributors based across the atolls. We cover politics, business, environment and culture, under the standards set out in our Editorial Policy.
Contact the newsroom: newsroom@maldivestoday.com. About Maldives Today
The Tourism Ministry counted 1.81 million visitors by 3 November, 3.0% fewer than a year earlier. The shortfall dates from March and April, which the World Bank linked to airspace closures and flight cancellations during the Middle East conflict.
Government spending outran revenue by MVR 621 million in the week to 29 October, pushing the year's deficit to MVR 4.47 billion and moving the primary balance from a small surplus to a deficit, Finance Ministry figures show.
Customer deposits grew more than 40% in a year to MVR 17.16 billion, and almost no money was set aside for bad financing in the quarter, the bank's filing shows.
Profit was almost flat at MVR 182 million, and the operator's mobile revenue for the quarter came in slightly above Dhiraagu's, according to the two companies' filings.
Business and property taxes grew fastest, by more than a fifth, while lower non-tax income and a 17 per cent rise in spending widened the deficit to MVR 3.85 billion, Finance Ministry figures show.
The airline's first flight from Novosibirsk landed at Velana with a full load on 30 October, after refuelling in Uzbekistan rather than at the Indian stop announced in July.
The India-financed crossing now runs from Malé through Villimalé to Gulhifalhu, ten weeks after the span between the capital and Villimalé was joined in August.
Jet fuel made up more than four-fifths of the total, according to Maldives Monetary Authority figures, while the value of fish exports fell by almost half over the same period.
The state-owned SME financier has also opened the Shariah-compliant scheme, which until now covered onboard refrigeration, generators and solar panels, to the installation and replacement of vessel engines.
The state-majority contractor will start paying out MVR 24.1 million on 1 November. Shareholders also reappointed Deloitte as auditor and elected Hussain Hassanfulhu to the board.
The state-majority fuel and trading company's revenue fell 7% from the second quarter to MVR 6.48 billion as global fuel prices eased, but lower staff costs after the transfer of its pharmacies lifted operating profit by 23%.
The Noonu Atoll resort's calendar runs from a vampire-themed Halloween to its 13th anniversary on 20 December, with two guest chefs cooking at Aragu in November.
The planned centre at Hulhumalé Hospital would offer radiotherapy, which is not currently available in the Maldives. No cost, financing model or contract has been announced.
The Malé lender can now develop funding proposals for the world's largest dedicated climate fund itself. All four GCF-funded projects in the Maldives so far were brought by international agencies.
The state electricity company said it had begun providing the utility services FENAKA ran on islands in the two northern atolls. It did not say when the handover took effect, how many islands it covers or whether tariffs will change.
A fifth addendum to the resort’s environmental impact assessment drops a larger coastal scheme approved under an earlier addendum in favour of smaller breakwater and groyne changes. The regulator is taking public comments until 5 November.
The state fisheries company would be the supplier while SINOMACH Hainan looks at the Chinese market. MIFCO gave no volumes, prices or shipment dates, and said larger exports could be explored from 2027.
The national airline also held a China roadshow with its sales agent there. China sent 324,039 tourists to the Maldives this year up to 21 October, more than any other country.
Sino Soar Hybrid Technology will finance and own the plants, ten of them in Laamu Atoll, and sell the power to STELCO. Neither the price nor the investment has been disclosed.
Genocide and treason would be class 1 felonies, and senior officials would face heavier penalties for inciting genocide or harming the economy. The bill, submitted on 25 October, has not had its first reading.
Taxpayers would have to pay at least half of a disputed assessment, up from a quarter, before going to the Tax Appeal Tribunal. Disputes over tax avoidance and related-party deals would need full payment first.
Kaafu’s 770,644 guests to 21 October were 46% of those recorded at resorts, hotels and guesthouses. Arrivals remain 3.2% behind 2025, but October’s shortfall has narrowed to 0.9%.
The bill, which would refund tax collected on these sales since 1 October, has moved to the committee stage. MIRA still lists 31 October as the registration deadline for overseas suppliers.
President Mohamed Muizzu says the dollar payments start on 1 November and the tax changes on 1 January. He said the law changes needed are still under way.
The rating rests on projected ocean warming over the next 50 years. On the past 50 years of change alone, the three Maldivian ecoregions are rated Vulnerable.
The two governments exchanged 20 memoranda in Islamabad on 21 October, including on defence and maritime security. Their texts have not been published.
The Foreign Ministry says it is time for a woman to lead the UN. Nusseibeh, nominated on 21 October, is one of seven candidates still in the race, five of them women.
It is one of 10 nominees for the World Travel Awards’ top destination title and is also shortlisted for dive, green and honeymoon awards. Winners will be named in Tanzania on 12 December.
The disaster authority says about 95% of homes on Nolhivaram were flooded. Malé City Council has stopped burials at the Hulhumalé cemetery because water is collecting in newly dug graves.
The Meteorological Service says the event may become one of the strongest on record. NOAA’s satellite monitoring puts the Maldives’ reefs on bleaching watch, with its outlook rising to a warning level from late December.
The fund expects the current account deficit to triple to 18.6% of GDP this year and government borrowing to reach 11.9% of GDP. The staff report from its September review has not been released.
The State Department’s 2026 report says the government identified no victims and brought no new prosecutions. Under US law, the Maldives must move up a tier next year or fall to Tier 3.
Revenue nearly tripled in 2025, mostly from jet fuel sales. The state-majority company still lost MVR68.7 million, and its liabilities exceeded its assets at the end of the year.
The Finance Committee passed the changes by four votes to two, the minimum its minutes say was required. The Speaker’s monthly pay and allowances rise to MVR95,125.
The bill says tax collected on these sales since 1 October must be returned. Its fiscal note puts the revenue at stake at MVR1.61 billion.
President Mohamed Muizzu said 20 memoranda of understanding were exchanged in Islamabad, including on tourism, and that talks on direct flights were continuing.
Base rates and per-hectare charges fall for islands leased under the cross-subsidy scheme in northern and southern atolls. The concession runs until June 2027.
The central bank said the money changer broke the regulation on money-changing businesses. It is the second money changer MMA has announced action against since August.
The statistics bureau’s essentials index has climbed since April, while the broader consumer price index rose 0.76% in the year to August.
State-owned MTDC now targets October 2027 for the Haa Dhaalu resort. The government’s extension of the construction period runs to 20 November 2026.
