A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
The government spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Azeez has stated that ventilators are bought by abiding the financial law of purchasing necessary items in a state of emergency. Mabrook has revealed the government is planning on purchasing 135 ventilators. The purchase of 50 ventilators has been awarded to a certain company and another 20 is awarded to […]
Ministry of Finance has instructed state institutions to pay overtime and public holiday allowances to employees who are working amid the ongoing state of a public health emergency. A circular, issued on April 9, signed by Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer was issued to state institutions regarding the overtime allowances, off-day allowances regarding the government closure. […]
Maldives Blood Service (MBS) has started a campaign called the “COVID-19 Blood Drive – Help end the blood shortage week long”. With the declaration of a state of a public health emergency, the public has been advised to practise social distancing and to minimize going out as much as possible. This has resulted in shortages […]
The World Bank report has estimated that the Maldives will fall into a steep recession with -8.5% growth in 2020 but also forecasts a strong recovery in 2021 with 7.3% growth. Growth is expected to contract by 8.5 per cent in 2020 as the COVID-19 outbreak dampens tourism and construction. As per the report, the […]
Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has stated that the government is planning to reduce the level of imports to the country in the future. In a press conference, Minister has revealed that the government has selected 17 agricultural products to produce in the Maldives. He further added that the government has chosen 44 islands to advance […]
COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis. Stock markets are crashing, businesses have run out of work leading to bankruptcy and layoffs. To stir the problems, even more, everyone is advised and in some regions ordered to stay at home. With uncertainty in this situation getting better any time soon and struggling each day meet […]
The government has brought changes to the working hours of the flu clinic, which was established in regard to the spread of COVID-19 in the Maldives. IGMH hospital has announced that the flu clinic will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. This will be effective from April 12th. IGMH has urged the public […]
Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has announced that they will be opening their office on the 13th, 14th, and 16th of April. In a press statement released by the authority, they have stated that this is in regard to the President’s instructions to provide essential services with minimum employees necessary to carry out the essential […]
The government has introduced a stimulus package of MVR 2.5 billion to assist businesses amid the pandemic. Tourism industry experts have raised their concerns about the stimulus package. A top tourism stakeholder has stated that the working capital loans given under the stimulus package should be exclusive to small and medium enterprises, with resorts given […]