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Maldives Today
The Maldives Today news desk covers tourism, business and life in the Maldives.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Resorts Face 28 October Deadline under New Currency Rules
September earnings fall under a shorter conversion timetable, as Category A tourism businesses move to a 40 per cent requirement.
Maldives and Belarus Sign Visa Waiver Agreement
The agreement provides for stays of up to 30 days per visit. The Foreign Ministry has not announced an entry-into-force date.
ADB Backs Five-Year Maldives Plan for Debt Reform and Energy Security
The 2027–2031 strategy targets public finances, state utilities and renewable energy, with public and private financing planned.
Maldives Seeks Investors for US$20–30 Million Uligan Marina
Expressions of interest are due on 5 October for the northern marina’s development and operation.
BML Makes Islamic Banking the Default for New Personal Accounts
The change also covers new personal financing applications, while conventional services remain available on request.
Qatar Airways to Raise Maldives Flights to 21 a Week
Nine additional weekly flights are scheduled from 25 October, alongside a new destination marketing agreement with Visit Maldives.
Aman Names First Maldives Resort Amanolu, with 52 Keys Planned
The Vaavu Atoll development includes private-island residences. The company has not announced an opening date.
Maldives Foreign Investment Rules Near One-Year Transition Mark
The ministry lists different periods by sector and investment size, with individual terms issued through its transition committee.
Maldives Pushes Plastic Straw Import Ban to 2031
A presidential decree also changes dates for water bottles and the size threshold for other bottled drinks.
UK and Maldives Pursue Closer Trade Ties as Tuna Tariff Relief Runs to 2028
The London dialogue covered fisheries, tourism, renewable energy and financial services.
Maldives Signs US$1.5 Billion Trade-Finance Framework
The five-year ITFC agreement covers essential imports and financing through local banks for businesses.
Ten Islands Designated for Resorts Promising Payouts to Maldivians
Muizzu says the state-led programme will be implemented within 36 months, with annual distributions in foreign currency.
Government Plans FENAKA and RDC Closures, Seeks 51% of Dhiraagu
Utility and construction operations would move to STELCO and MTCC. No completion dates or share-purchase prices were announced.
Aasandha Co-Payments Planned for Salaries above MVR60,000
The income-based reform is planned for October. The government projects annual savings of MVR287 million.
Maldives Clears US$150 Million SBI Facility with Final Payment
The last US$50 million was repaid on 17 September. BML says the payment did not use its funds or customer deposits.
Monday, 21 September 2026
Maldives Brings Overseas Holiday Sellers into GST from 1 October
The 1 October rules cover overseas sellers of inbound tourism products and related booking services. Tourism GST remains 17 per cent.
Eagle Hills Opens Maldives Waterfront Property Registrations
The developer lists serviced apartments, apartments and villas. Its public registration page does not give prices or a handover date.
BML Dollar Outflows Rise a Third as Transfer Delays Hit Customers
The bank reports US$653 million in dollar sales through August and attributes transfer delays to a temporary supply-demand mismatch.
Etihad Miles to Open Up Onward Flights across the Maldives
The airlines have announced mileage redemptions on Maldivian's network. A booking launch date and award prices have not been published.
Maldives and Malaysia Move towards Preferential Trade Talks
The proposal follows Anwar Ibrahim's state visit, which also brought a US$100 million currency swap announcement and education agreements.