Maldives this week: 24 - 30 October
Last week's key headlines.
On 29 October, the Maldives welcomed its 1 millionth tourist arrival for 2021. The 1 millionth tourist to arrive in the Maldives was France's Victor Vincent Corentin.
On 29 October, Speaker of Parliament departed for Scotland to participate in COP26. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also departed for Scotland on the same day, but from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he had attended the Expo 2020.
On 28 October, rating agency Fitch upgraded the Maldives' rating to B- (negative). Prior to this it was at CCC. Fitch said the rating upgrade was mainly due to a better than expected economic performance.
On 28 October, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 128 COVID-19 cases from 3,731 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. ON 28 October, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem extended the public health emergency declared in the country with the pandemic.
On 28 October, the United States announced it will be providing an additional USD2 million for Maldives' efforts against COVID-19.
On 28 October, mainstream media reported that the Maldives Islamic Bank has suspended its Managing Director and CEO over allegations of accessing USD162,000 from the bank without the board's knowledge.
On 27 October, the Health Protection Agency reported 173 new COVID-19 cases, with 1,651 active cases.
On 27 October, the Government of Japan, through the UNICEF, donated USD950,000 worth of equipment and technical assistance to develop the Maldives' vaccine cold chain storage capacity.
On 27 October, the Maldivian parliament approved the foreign service bill.
On 27 October, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed announced that Maldives National Party has been registered as a party with representatives at the parliament.
On 27 October, the Maldivian parliament passed a tenancy bill.
On 27 October, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a statement saying that it has imposed a fine of MVR100 million against the cargo vessel that ran aground off K. Rasfari reef. It said that although the fine after assessing the damages was estimated at MVR893.9 million, the law specified a maximum fine of MVR100 million.
On 26 October, the Maldivian Government held the Maldives Investment Forum, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Speaking at the Forum, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that the Maldives is open for business and to welcome investors. He outlined the government priorities for economic development as sectoral diversification, environmental sustainability and social prosperity.
On 26 October, the Ministry of Tourism announced the bid for 18 new islands to be leased for tourism development. The deadline for submission of bids in 27 and 28 February 2022.
On 26 October, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem said the country is aiming to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) by end-2025.
On 25 October, the Elections Commission registered the Maldives National Party and included it in the party register. President of MNP Mohamed Nazim said that the party was open to working with all political parties, but will not work with former President Abdulla Yameen. The opposition has said that it will not be working with anyone who did not want to work with Yameen.
On 25 October, the Ministry of Economic Development said that 175 investors are taking party in the Maldives Investment Forum scheduled for 26 October, to be held in Dubai, UAE, during its Expo 2020.
On 25 October, the Ministry of Finance said it will be submitting the national budget for 2022 to parliament on 31 October 2021.
On 25 October, the opposition PPM and PNC coalition issued a statement saying that the Uthuru Thilafalhu agreement with India was unconstitutional. The coalition said that the agreement allows India to station any personnel in the Maldives in the facility for the next 15 years, did not specify that military officials could not be stationed, and will be run by a committee that included Indian officials, thereby bringing into question whether the Maldives military will have full control over the facility.
On 25 October, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed said, in an interview to India's The Hindu newspaper, that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asked him to hold discussions on changing the constitution to resolve the debate on the Maldives' governance system.
On 24 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih departed for the United Arab Emirates to take party in Expo 2020 being held in Dubai. He will also give a keynote speech at the Maldives Investment Forum scheduled to be held on 26 October, after which he will travel to Glasgow for COP26.
On 24 October, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi shared the agreement between the Maldives and India to develop a naval dockyard and harbour at Uthuru Thilafalhu, with the parliament committee on security services (241 committee). Chair of the 241 committee, Mohamed Aslam, after going through the document, provided his assurances that there was nothing in the agreement that threatened national security.
On 24 October, the Supreme Court ruled that DNA evidence can be used to prove the offence of zinay.
On 24 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met with Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, where they discussed the local economy, climate change and environmental protection. The President's Office said that the Speaker also discussed the topic of a governance system most fitting for the Maldives.
On 23 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the government decision to implement housing projects across the country under a MVR1.2 billion budget over the next two years.
On 23 October, the Maldivian government presented Youth Awards to 10 individuals. The ceremony was held in HDh. Khulhudhuffushi, where President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presented the awards.
On 23 October, the Health Protection Agency reported 225 new COVID-19 cases in the country, from 4,527 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. The majority of cases were from the K. Guraidhoo Home for Persons With Special Needs, where 112 cases have been reported over the past week, with 86 reported on 23 October. The Home has now been placed under lockdown.
On 23 October, Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Mabrooz Azeez said that the government was studying a report issued by the Auditor General's Office on the rent determined for the lease of the 7,000 units under the Hiyaa Project. Azeez said that after analysis, action will be taken in cases where it was warranted.
On 22 October, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih returned to capital Malé after concluding his official visit to Alifu Alifu Atoll.
On 22 October, opposition Progressive Congress coalition held a walk in Malé calling to oust Indian soldiers who are allegedly stationed in the Maldives.
On 22 October, former Home Minister Umar Naseer announced that he will be contesting in the 2023 presidential election as an independent candidate.
On 22 October, the Auditor General's Office advised that a financial feasibility to be carried out for housing projects implemented under loan funding in the future and to base decisions on this feasibility. After considering various claims made by the Yameen administration, the Malé City Council and the Housing Development Corporation on the cost estimates for the Hiyaa scheme, the Auditor General's Office advised that the HDC estimates for the 7,000 housing units was correct. The HDC estimates indicate the cost per housing unit to be MVR1,163,289.
