Maldives Weekly: 9-18 June 2022

17 June 2022, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih departed on a two day official visit to Funadhoo Island in Shaviyani Atoll, and Holhudhoo Island in Noonu Atoll. He is scheduled to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Funadhoo School, and diamond jubilee celebrations of Meyna School during the visit. A high level delegation from the government is also accompanying the President.   

16 June 2022, A loan agreement for the second phase of the “Gulhifalhu Reclamation Project” was signed between ABN AMRO Bank N.V., AKA European Export Trade Bank and ING Bank N.V and the Government of the Republic of Maldives to finance an amount of EUR 101, 787, 500 (MVR 1.6 Billion).

14 June 2022, President Solih today established the Maldives Health Services, following deliberations and recommendation by the Cabinet. According to the President's Office, the Maldives Health Services would be tasked with improving the primary healthcare in the Maldives, by catering to the country's public health requirements under a decentralised setup. 

13 June 2022, Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer has said, speaking at the Parliamentary Public Finance Committee today, that there is no requirement for Maldives external debt restructuring at present. The statement comes at a time when Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and few MPs aligned with Nasheed have been pushing the government for a debt restructuring exercise. Minister Ameer assured that Maldives debt has always been properly managed, and market-friendly approaches will be adopted in the process. 

11 June 2022, the Government of Maldives constituted the “Raajje Transport Link” as part of its first phase of the “Integrated National Public Ferry Network” initiated to connect the Maldives through a high-speed ferry network. Services of this link will first commence in Zone 1 of the country, which consists of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani atolls located in the north of Maldives. 

09 June 2022, The Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) endorsed a dividend of 60 Laari per share. 18,000 shareholders of the corporation were represented at the company’s annual general meeting. According to the decisions finalized during this meeting, MTDC will pay a dividend of 60 Laari per share, spending a total of MVR 28 million on the prospect.