The Communication Authority issued the country’s fourth Internet Service Provider (ISP) license for SpaceX Starlink to operate in the Maldives.
The company owned by billionaire Elon Musk uses satellites in a low Earth orbit to deliver high-speed broadband internet services.
The tourism ministry signed an agreement with Urbanco to develop a tourist beach in Hulhumalé.
Located next to the water theme park under development, the private beach will be equipped with a lifeguard hut, toilets, shower and kiosks, according to Urbanco, which hoped to boost guesthouse businesses in the artificial island.
The tourism ministry sought investors to develop resorts in Medhafushi in Haa Alif Atoll and Nalandhoo in Shaviyani Atoll. Both uninhabited islands are in the northernmost geographic atoll. Interested parties were invited to submit proposals before 21 September.
A 50-year lease was offered with a 36-month construction period. The minimum lease acquisition cost was US$875,000 for the 11-hectare Medhafushi and US$1 million for the 64-hectare Nalandhoo.
Sri Lankan workers remitted US$29.3 million from the Maldives in the first quarter of 2023, Economy Next reported, citing the Sri Lankan central bank.
Local media reported that the US$557 million in remittances to Sri Lanka last year was equivalent to 62.23% of annual tax revenue collected in US dollars.
Customs collected MVR361 million (US$23 million) as revenue in July, up 15% from the same period last year as imports increased by 12%. Exports were up by 70% last month.
