Breakaway Democrats, Vigilante Justice, Manadhoo Murder
News from May 20 to 26: Nasheed loyalists launch membership drive for new party; alleged thief doused in paint; and two suspects in custody over murder of 62-year-old woman in April.
Tourism Masterplan, Foreign Proprietors, Startup Grants
Business new from May 20 to 26: fifth tourism masterplan targets US$6 billion by 2027; new rules target sole proprietorships operated by foreigners; and Bank of Maldives offers grant funding to emerging entrepreneurs.
MDP Exodus, Territory Cause, Pet Ostrich
News from May 13 to 19: Nasheed loyalists resign en masse from MDP to form new party; opposition alliance gears up for mass gathering over ‘sale of Maldivian sea’; and photo of ostrich outside Malé home goes viral.
Nominal Growth, SME Fund, New Hospitals
Business news from May 13 to 19: nominal GDP exceeded MVR100 billion for the first time; Islamic Development Bank pledges US$40 million to support small businesses; and Kuwait Fund finances seven new hospitals.
Apartment Scam, Opposition Alliance, Hulhumalé Masterplan
News from May 6 to 12: travel ban imposed on businessman accused of fraudulent apartment sales; new alliance submits no-confidence motion against Attorney General Riffath; and government plans to reclaim more land from Hulhumalé lagoon for housing projects.
Record Dividend, FHAM 2023, Two-Factor Security
Business news from May 6 to 12: MTCC proposed distribution of record MVR32 million to shareholders; annual Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives kicked off; and Bank of Maldives introduced Two Factor Authentication for mobile banking logins.
Territorial Integrity, Pay Hikes, Press Freedom
News from April 29 to May 5: political fallout continues from alleged forfeiture of Maldivian territorial waters; president announces pay hike for health sector workers; and Maldives slides on press freedom index to 100th out of 180 countries.
Q1 Profits, SME Loans, Destination Campaign
Business news from April 29 to May 5: STO, BML and Dhiraagu posted first quarter earnings; SME Bank relaunched upgraded online portal for issuing loans; and BML partnered with American Express for tourism campaign.
Chagos Border, Plastic Fee, Record Temperatures
News from April 22 to 28: UN tribunal sets new Maldives southern maritime border amid political firestorm; parliament breaks for recess without exempting bundles from new plastic bag fee; and energy consumption reaches record level as temperature soars.
Economic Growth, Food Inflation, STO Dividends
Business news from April 22 to 28: central bank estimates 13.9% growth in 2022; Consumer Price Index rose by 3.97% in March; and STO board of directors propose MVR77 per share.
Plastic Fee, MDP Victory, PPM Strife
News from April 15 to 21: government under fire over massive spike in price of plastic bag bundles; first Kaafu atoll seat for MDP hailed as hopeful sign for president’s re-election; and PPM Malé city councillor leaves party amid allegations of campaigning for alternative candidate to jailed ex-president Yameen.
