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A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.

Politics

Two staff of Fenaka lays the foundation of one of the towers to be developed under the mega "Hiyaa" project in Hulhumale's second phase of development. PHOTO/PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

Three more state companies open bids to develop towers in Hulhumale

2 min read

Two staff of Fenaka lays the foundation of one of the towers to be developed under the mega “Hiyaa” project in Hulhumale’s second phase of development. PHOTO/PRESIDENT’S OFFICE Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) and Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) have also opened bids to develop towers of 15-storeys in the […]

World Bank sorry for presidential popularity questions

World Bank sorry for presidential popularity questions

2 min read

The World Bank has apologised for Maldivians being asked “unintended” political questions in a financial survey about how good their president is. In a statement issued Tuesday the global institution said survey staff had been posing questions “beyond the scope” of a data gathering exercise about how people save, borrow, make payments and manage risks […]

China-Maldives free trade deal rushed through parliament

China-Maldives free trade deal rushed through parliament

5 min read

A landmark free trade deal between the Maldives and China was rushed through parliament Wednesday, hours after President Abdulla Yameen sought approval for ratification. The free trade agreement – which commits both nations to reduce tariffs on most imported goods to zero – was passed with 30 votes from ruling party lawmakers in the 85-member […]

Gulhi Falhu project

The roadmap to elevate Maldives for businesses

4 min read

Gulhi Falhu where a mega project was started previously by a foreign investor: Changes to government affects such projects. Now this project is nationalised The original Dhivehi article was published on Avas.mv website on 30th November 2017. The following is a loose translation: Every year the World Bank selects countries which are easy to do […]

Maldives Parliament Approves FTA With China Amidst Opposition Boycott

Maldives Parliament Approves FTA With China Amidst Opposition Boycott

6 min read

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit: Reuters New Delhi: The Maldives will soon become the second country in South Asia, after Pakistan, to enter into a free trade agreement (FTA) with China after it was passed on Wednesday evening by parliament in a session boycotted by the opposition. The text of the FTA […]

President sends message commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – Press Releases

President sends message commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – Press Releases

2 min read

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The President’s message reads as follows: “As we mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, I wish to reiterate the unwavering support of the Government and the people of Maldives […]

President Declares Passport card to be recognized as a valid identity document – Press Releases

President Declares Passport card to be recognized as a valid identity document – Press Releases

1 min read

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has declared the passport card issued by the Maldives Immigration to be recognized as a valid identity document. The passport card is currently the safest, most secure; identity document used in Maldives and cannot be duplicated. Therefore, the passport card will be recognized in government institutions, hospitals, banks, and by […]

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed

Maldives pushes for free trade pact with China in parliament

3 min read

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed (C) pictured at a free trade discussion. The Maldives’ government on Wednesday decided to enter the long-discussed free trade pact with China, and submitted the proposal to the parliament for review. The president’s Cabinet ministers made the decision to sign the free trade agreement with China at a meeting held earlier […]