131,764 tourists arrived in January, up 43 percent from the same period last year but below pre-pandemic levels.
The Felivaru fish cannery marked its 44th year in operation.
New speedboats built for a nationwide ferry network made route and schedule test trips in Haa Dhaal Atoll. The ‘Raajje Transport Link’ (RTL) ferries made stops on four islands, according to the state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, which is tasked with establishing the ‘Integrated National Public Ferry Network.’ The first four vessels purpose-built by Gulf Craft were handed over to MTCC on Monday. Preparations are underway to begin the first phase of the project in the northernmost atoll.
Gross international reserves declined to US$791.2 million at the end of December 2021, down from US$943.8 million in November, reflecting the repayment under a currency swap deal with the Royal Bank of India, according to the central bank’s monthly economic update.
The tourism ministry extended the deadline to submit bids for 19 islands to be leased for resort development. Relatively low amounts were proposed as minimum lease acquisition costs – between US$200,000 and US$1.5 million – after only one of 23 islands put up for bidding last year found an investor. All of the islands on offer are outside the central atolls where most of the country’s resorts are located.
The Velana International Airport operationalised a new runway developed as part of the ongoing airport expansion project. The airport operator started using the new runway as a parallel taxiway, doubling the number of aircraft accommodated per hour from eight to 16.
The new runway was completed in 2018 but cannot be used for takeoff and landing until the old Trans Maldivian Airways terminal is demolished. Construction of a spacious new seaplane terminal was completed last year and airlines are in the process of relocating.
The Addu City Council inaugurated an MVR4 million (US$259,400) project to cover 14 swamp areas with land reclamation. At the launching ceremony, the councillor for the Feydhoo island expressed hope that the problems of mosquito breeding and flooding during rainy weather would be resolved,
Ooredoo Maldives announced the appointment of Khalid Al-Hamadi as the telco’s new CEO and managing director.
A Qatari national with several years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Al-Hamadi previously previously held several senior positions at Ooredoo Qatar.
Former CEO Najib Khan joined the Ooredoo Group team in a new role.
The Maldives State Shipping company extended a deadline to apply for maritime studies scholarships.
