Penultimate Week, Pledge Contest, ‘India First’
News from August 26 to September 1: presidential election campaign enters final stretch; candidates promise airports, bridges and debt relief; and Muizzu backs ‘India First’ foreign policy.
Instant Payment, Addu Shangri-La, Indian Flights
Business news from August 26 to September 1: central bank launches new payment system; government divests stake in Villingili resort; and Air India and Vistara schedules direct flights to Maldives.
Rival Visions, Campaign Clashes, Niqab Ban
News from August 19 to 25: President Solih and main rival Muizzu present bold manifesto pledges; violent confrontations occur between MDP and PPM supporters; and teachers allowed to wear face veil in policy reversal.
Starlink License, Resort Bids, Remittance Outflows
Business news from August 19 to 25: SpaceX Starlink licensed to provide internet services; two northern islands offered for resort development; and Sri Lankan workers remitted US$29.3 million in Q1-2023.
Housing Lottery, Manifesto Pledges, Campaign Trail
News from August 12 to 18: lottery draw underway for recipients of land plots in Greater Malé; Democrats and MDP launch election manifestos; and campaigning in full swing with three weeks left for September 9 polls.
Port Relocation, Vegan Resort, Bangalore Flights
Business news from August 12 to 18: US$400 million Gulhifalhu port project due to begin; Indian export business plans to develop alcohol-free vegetarian-only resort; and national carrier plans to launch flights to Bangalore.
Crunch Time, Campaign Violence, Swell Surges
News from August 5 to 11: Muizz enters crowded field amid leadership split over boycott proposed by Yameen; MDP campaign venue set ablaze as protesters clash with riot police; and unusually high tidal swells wash over bridge highway.
Transhipment Port, Cross Subsidy, Container Ship
Business news from August 5 to 11: Qatari company enlisted to build bunkering facility in northernmost atoll; investor sought for Vaavu airport with country’s largest lagoon on offer; and Maldives State Shipping purchases 105-container capacity cargo vessel.
Yameen’s Candidacy, Muizzu Backup, Terrorism Financiers
News from July 29 to August 4: opposition leader seeks Supreme Court order to contest from prison; Malé mayor chosen as backup candidate; and U.S. designated 20 Maldivians as “key leaders and financial facilitators” of IS and al-Qaeda.
STO Profits, Housing Loans, Sichuan Return
Business news from July 29 to August 4: STO’s net profit declines in Q2-2023 to US$19.6 million; BML extends Home Purchase Loan and Home Purchase Financing tenor to 25 years; and major Chinese carrier returns with tourists after seven-year hiatus.
Electoral Rights, New Candidates, Independence Day
News from July 22 to 28: Supreme Court rejects petition to ensure ex-president Yameen’s right to run for office; Ilyas Labeeb and Faris Maumoon emerge as presidential candidates; and Maldives celebrates 58th anniversary of independence.
