President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu extended good wishes to the President, His Excellency Dr Mahmoud Abbas, and the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine, His Excellency Mohammad Mustafa, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Palestine.
In separate messages, President Dr Muizzu expressed deep admiration for the steadfastness and bravery of the Palestinian people as they continue to resist oppression and injustice. He reaffirmed the Maldives’ unwavering support and solidarity with Palestine and reiterated the country’s commitment to advocating for an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In concluding the messages, the President extended his best wishes to President Dr Mahmoud and Prime Minister Mustafa, for lasting peace and progress of the brotherly people of Palestine.
President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu returned to Malé this morning, after completing two key visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Dr Muizzu attended the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit, hosted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. At the summit, the President strongly advocated for meaningful action in support of Palestine.
Following his Visit to Saudi Arabia, the President traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in COP29. There, he emphasised the urgent need for climate finance and strong global action on climate change. On the sidelines, he engaged in productive discussions with world leaders to advocate for climate finance and adaptation. He also highlighted Maldives’ commitment to climate action, underscoring the need for financial and technical support to achieve development goals.
A special call center service for emergency situations in the Maldives has been launched, designating 911 as the emergency contact number.
Discussions with relevant institutions about establishing a short-code line to provide easy access to services for citizens in emergency situations have been ongoing for some time.
The service was launched last night in a ceremony held at Iskandar Koshi by the Minister of Home Affairs and Technology, Ali Ihsan.
Head of Police Command and Control, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Ali, said that previously, different numbers were used for emergency situations. With this, the challenges faced in receiving and providing services have now been resolved.
He added that 911 will now be the number to call in emergencies, and it is believed this will greatly facilitate the process.
“I believe that many services for citizens will be facilitated through one number. At the same time, the reason this work has come to full fruition is that one of our goals in our strategic plan is to provide call center and emergency services quickly and easily,” he said.
The proposal to establish a national helpline for citizens to call one number for safety and security services in emergency situations was submitted to the Social Council by the Ministry of Health.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has extended an invitation to Azerbaijan to increase their investments in the Maldives.
President Dr. Muizzu met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today.
This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
During the meeting, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu thanked President Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s efforts in making COP29 a successful summit and for the hospitality extended to the Maldivian delegation.
The President also noted the recent commencement of direct flights between the two countries.
In his remarks, President Aliyev expressed interest in strengthening economic ties between the two countries. He also praised the Maldives’ leadership on climate change issues and thanked the President for participating in COP29.
Additionally, both leaders discussed making COP-29 Summit a successful platform for enhancing cooperation on global climate change issues.
First Lady Madam Sajida Mohamed has stated that wellness is an important blessing for every human being and is closely linked to human safety.
Speaking at the special ceremony marking World Diabetes Day 2024, Sajida said that as the Maldives moved from the list of poor countries to developing countries, and with the change in Maldivians’ lifestyle, diseases related to diet and lifestyle have become more common.
She noted that instead of communicable diseases that were previously common among Maldivians, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases related to diet and lifestyle have started to become more prevalent.
Extending her well wishes on World Diabetes Day, she mentioned that although diabetes is not a communicable disease, it is hereditary.
She emphasized that the risk of the disease can be reduced by improving lifestyle habits, and that the occurrence and severity of the disease depend on lifestyle and dietary habits.
Furthermore, she highlighted that when the Maldives was on the list of poor countries, Maldivians were more active, ate less, and consumed healthier food. However, now, due to prosperity, the types of food consumed, customs, amount of food intake, and level of physical activity have all changed.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme set by the International Diabetes Federation is “Diabetes and Wellness,” which focuses on mental, physical, and social well-being.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that this government will proceed in bringing prosperity to all citizens with fairness.
In a post on ‘X’, the President said that in the coming days, it will become clearer to the citizens who the political leaders are that do not wish for the prosperity of the underprivileged.
The President also stated that this government will move forward “bringing prosperity to all citizens with fairness” while standing with the people.
It is believed that the President made this statement in response to the ongoing narrative from opposition parties regarding the government. Senior leaders of the opposition MDP have been claiming that as the government approaches its one-year mark, it has not done anything beneficial for the citizens and has instead impoverished them.
Furthermore, following the government’s decision to implement a pre-pay health contribution from the wealthy and income tax-paying individuals, various political entities have been discussing this issue from different angles.
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said tonight that the MDP was hoping to return to power, expecting this government to go bankrupt within three months.
Speaking on the government’s ’52 Weeks’ program, Saeed said that the previous government printed and released about eight billion rufiyaa into the market, causing the Maldivian rufiyaa to depreciate to unprecedented levels.
Therefore, while the Maldivian currency had no value, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided not to print money even in that situation, Saeed said.
“These people thought the country would go bankrupt within three months. They even made their schedule based on that. People like Abdullah Shahid thought President Muizzu would go bankrupt within three months of coming to power. Then they thought they would come back,” Saeed said.
Saeed said that while the MDP expected bankruptcy by March this year according to their schedule, the government managed to hold on for another three months. He added that when the World Bank, Fitch, and Moody’s downgraded the Maldives’ rating, the opposition was spreading the news that the Maldives was heading towards bankruptcy.
“These people were expressing joy in various political rooms and places, believing that the country was going bankrupt,” he said.
However, even in that situation, the government continued to strengthen relations with countries and work to improve the financial situation, Saeed said.
He said that after 52 weeks, the Maldives is not in debt.
“A happy, active, and robust economy will meet Maldivians next year. The World Bank has said that. They’ve mentioned an economic growth of 6.3 or 6.5 percent,” he said.
Saeed said there are many development projects, and when large projects start next year, the economy will become active and improve.
Saeed said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign banks and various organizations provided 565 million US dollars, which is 8.7 billion rufiyaa.
“This is the amount of money freely given by friendly countries to the Maldives, with a population of about 200,000, when COVID hit, to manage the pandemic,” he said.
According to Saeed, documents show that 4.2 billion rufiyaa was spent on COVID. Therefore, while investigating this issue, Saeed questioned what happened to the other four billion allocated for COVID.
“How many buildings of the kind you’re talking about were built with the other four billion rufiyaa? Or into whose accounts did that money go? If these things are not investigated, whether political or civil, people will not trust them,” he said.
Saeed said that although the President has said he won’t personally pursue and arrest political figures, it’s necessary to investigate and take action if there has been misuse of state property.
The central bank, MMA, announced today that all resorts except one have registered under the regulation requiring resorts to exchange dollars they receive through banks.
MMA stated that 173 resorts have registered under the foreign currency regulation. Currently, there are 174 resorts operating in the Maldives.
The regulation came into effect on October 1. Even after that, those who register for TGST are given a 30-day period by MMA to register. Registration under the foreign currency regulation must be done through a special portal designated by MMA. Resorts must include their information on this portal.
MMA said that some resorts have filed complaints regarding the regulation. However, the number of resorts that have complained is not yet clear.
According to the new regulation published by the central bank MMA, all businesses in the tourism sector must exchange a specified amount through banks.
Category “A” includes resorts, hotels, and tourist vessels. Entities in this category are required to deposit $500 per tourist into a Maldivian bank. Category “B” includes guesthouses, which must deposit and exchange $25 per tourist each month through a bank.
Under this regulation, dollar exchanges must begin from late January next year. In January, the amount to be exchanged will be based on the number of tourists who visited the resort in October.
MMA introduced this change to the regulation to increase the proportion of foreign currency entering the Maldivian banking system and to find a way to increase the proportion of foreign currency provided by the banking system to businesses and the general public.
In 2019, the tourism sector exchanged $153 million through Maldivian banks. However, last year, this amount decreased to $68 million. This represents only three percent of the total tourism revenue.
With the new change, about 15 percent of the total revenue from the tourism sector is mandated to be exchanged through banks.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the First Amendment to Act No. 15/2010 (Tobacco Control Act). The amendment was passed in the 48th sitting of the 20th Parliament on 12 November 2024.
The bill prohibits the import, sale, free distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), vaping devices, and products designed for use with such devices in the Maldives.
Additionally, upon ratification and implementation of this bill, the following will also be prohibited:
– Tobacco use in all government institution buildings and their premises – Fines for both users and property owners or operators if tobacco is used illegally in business or service establishments, with potential suspension of smoking permits and temporary suspension of business licences – Sale of any tobacco products to persons under 21 years or involving persons under 21 in tobacco sales transactions – Selling tobacco products without verifying the buyer’s age through ID or official documentation proving they are over 21 – Advertisement of any tobacco products – Display of tobacco products or their packaging in retail locations visible to the public, with such displays being considered advertising – Growing any tobacco plants or producing tobacco products in the Maldives – Importing tobacco plants, seeds, or any parts that could be used for growing tobacco, and manufacturing any tobacco products in the Maldives – Illegal advertising, sponsorship, or promotion of tobacco products – Illegal import, export, distribution, or sale of tobacco or tobacco products
The import and sale of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and products designed for use with such devices are prohibited, and fines have been established for violations of the law.
Following the President’s ratification of the First Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, it has been published in the Government Gazette today. The provisions related to electronic cigarettes and vaping devices (Section 10-2) will take effect on 15 December 2024, while other provisions will be effective from 15 November 2024.
President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with United Nations Secretary General H.E. António Guterres, on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
During their meeting, President Dr Muizzu emphasised the critical need for international financial support in tackling climate change and managing debt burdens faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The President also expressed gratitude for the UN’s ongoing advocacy for SIDS.
Secretary General Guterres reiterated his commitment to addressing the vulnerabilities of SIDS, and noted efforts to engage the international financial institutions in this endeavour.
The meeting concluded with both leaders affirming their commitment to continued collaboration on climate resilience and other development priorities.
