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The President reaffirms that establishing development zones and urban centres has been a Government policy from the start

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Photo Credits: Vaguthu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed that the establishment of development zones and urban centres nationwide has been a priority of his Administration since its commencement.

In a post on his official X account, the President shared key details regarding sustainable development, as outlined in Sections 4.12, 4.13, and 4.14 of Chapter 4 of the Dhiveheenge Raajje Manifesto. As part of the Maldives’ Sustainable Regional Development Policy, the manifesto outlines plans to establish Southern and Northern Integrated Development Zones. This includes the Malé Urban Region, the three northernmost atolls, and the four southernmost atolls. Additionally, President Dr Muizzu highlighted that the manifesto clearly states the government’s commitment to developing a total of seven urban centres—three to the north of Malé City and four in the south. The President’s post also noted that he has reiterated this in several meetings since the launch of the manifesto.

The President stated that these initiatives are planned to be incorporated into the 20-year National Development Plan and will be implemented with the involvement of all stakeholders, including the input of technical experts, councils, and the people of all the islands across the country.

Chapter 4 (Housing and Urbanisation) of the Dhiveheenge Raajje Manifesto, Section 4.12, discusses the Malé Urban Region, identifying it as a high-end service area. The northern development zone encompasses Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, and other nearby atolls. Haa Dhaalu Atoll has been designated as the main administrative hub, while Kulhudhuffushi City is recognised as an international gateway. Additionally, Hdh. Hanimadhoo is included as part of the region’s development plan. There is also a vision for an international transhipment port at HA. Ihavandhipolhu.

Section 4.13 emphasises the Male’ Urban Region and other high-end service areas, with Addu City designated as the administrative hub and an international gateway in the southern development zone. This zone comprises Gaafu Dhaalu, Gaafu Alif, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City is identified as the site for an international transhipment port, with plans for the expansion and development of industrial activities, fisheries, agriculture, mariculture, and tourism.

Section 4.13 mentions the Male’ Urban Region and the high-end service area. It outlines the southern development zone, which includes Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Gaafu Alif Atoll, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City. Addu City is designated as both an administrative hub and an international gateway. The section also highlights the vision for expanding and developing international transhipment ports, industrial activities, fisheries, agriculture, mariculture, and tourism resources in the region.

Section 4.14 outlines the development of seven additional moderate urban centres, including three in the north and four in the south.

President launches National Teacher Training Programme

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has launched the National Teacher Training Programme today. The President inaugurated the programme at a ceremony held this morning at the Auditorium of the Maldives National University.

The National Teacher Training Programme launched today is aimed at fresh higher secondary graduates under the direct supervision of the President. It seeks to address the shortage of teachers in the country’s education sector and increase the number of local teachers in the field.

At today’s ceremony, President Dr Muizzu handed out grant letters to 21 schools nationwide that had graduates enrolled in the project. The training curriculum will include one hundred thirty-five students from these 21 schools.

With a strong focus on education, the government aims to transform the future of the sector through this training programme, providing a clear career path for graduates and helping to address the critical need for Maldivian teachers.

President inaugurates fuel storage project across all atolls

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has launched a project to establish fuel storage facilities in all atolls of the Maldives.

State Trading Organization (STO) Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim stated that the project aims to set up fuel storage in every atoll by February 2026, making fuel more accessible for fishermen and the general public. The fuel setup in Hulhumale’ was completed in January this year, and STO currently provides fuel at base rates from FSM sheds in GA Kooddoo and N Felivaru islands. The company plans to complete the fuel setup in Addu City Hulhumeedhoo by February 2025.

Additionally, fuel setups are scheduled for completion in HA Ihavandhoo, HDh Hanimaadhoo, F Nilandhoo, GDh Faresmaathodaa, and Fuvahmulah City by October 2025. Further setups will be created in Sh Milandhoo, N Manadhoo, B Thulhaadhoo, V Felidhoo, Th Hirilandhoo, R Dhuvaafaru, AA Mathiveri, M Mulah, Dh Kudahuvadhoo, and L Gan by February 2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam reiterated the President’s pledge to provide fuel at STO rates in at least one island of each atoll and to declare fuel a basic necessity. He emphasized that the President was focused on long-term solutions to eliminate the longstanding reliance on temporary measures in the sector. The Minister also confirmed that the administration aims to address the core issues facing the sector within its first three years.

The provision of fuel at base rates through STO was a key pledge in the Dhivehinge Raajje manifesto.

Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef and senior government officials attended the ceremony.

President attends ceremony to award letters to beneficiaries of RSW financing facility and signing of Kooddoo cold storage expansion project

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attended a ceremony on Thursday to award letters to beneficiaries of the RSW financing facility and to sign the G.A. Kooddoo Cold Storage Expansion Project.

At the ceremony held at the President’s Office this afternoon, Ahmed Shiyam, the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, signed the G.A. Kooddoo Cold Storage Expansion Project, while Aashish Oberai signed on behalf of Lucky Global Projects Private Limited.

During the event, the President presented award letters to the beneficiaries of the Murabaha RSW Financing Facility.

The commercial value that fishermen earn for their catch in the international market depends on the freshness and quality of the fish. Therefore, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has been working towards facilitating the installation of Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems onboard fishing vessels to maintain the quality of the fish. The government is also planning to install additional cold storage facilities at island harbors. Increasing economic profitability within the fishing industry is also a key policy of the President.

As part of the Islamic Development Bank’s ‘Support People’s Livelihood in Fisheries Sector in Maldives through Sustainable Energy Project’, a facility was established under Islamic Finance to install RSW systems on at least 100 vessels. The project, announced under the President’s leadership, is designed to address the needs of the fishermen. The government covers 35 per cent of the cost of goods ordered through the facility.

The facility will finance customers to purchase an RSW system, a generator, and solar panels ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 2,000,000 without the need for a mortgage. Boat owners can make their purchases independently through a vendor registered with the SDFC.

The use of RSW systems will significantly reduce the travel costs incurred by fishermen to buy ice, thereby reducing boat expenses and increasing the income received by each fisherman.

Doubling the existing 8,500-tonne cold storage capacity in the Maldives is among the President’s pledges. The Administration is working towards tripling the existing capacity, bringing it to a total of 25,000 tones.

The President was joined by Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef and senior government officials.

The President attends the MoU signing on the expansion of MIB ATM services to 19 islands

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attended the MoU signing for the expansion of the Maldives Islamic Bank’s (MIB) ATM services to 19 islands.

On the occasion, Mohamed Saeed, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, and Mufaddal Idris Khumri, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Islamic Bank, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

This initiative is in alignment with the President’s pledge to establish ATM services on all inhabited islands and provide banking services to all Maldivians.

As of now, 39 MIB ATMs have been installed across 18 islands in 12 atolls. An additional 23 MIB ATMs are planned to be set up by 2025. Once the project is completed, MIB services will be available in 37 islands across 16 atolls, resulting in a total of 62 ATMs installed.

The President inaugurates the Bank of Maldives’s ATM services expansion to all Islands

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the expansion of Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM services to all islands during an event at the President’s Office this afternoon.

On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Bank of Maldives to provide Bank of Maldives ATM services to the entire Maldives.

At a ceremony, the newly installed ATM from the new project was unveiled. This ATM has been installed in Omadhoo. Currently, the Bank of Maldives (BML) has set up 190 ATMs across the country, and by the end of 2025, the project aims to establish over 250 ATMs nationwide. This initiative aligns with the President’s pledge to provide ATM services in all inhabited islands of the Maldives, ensuring that all Maldivians have access to banking services.

During the event, Bank of Maldives CEO Mohamed Shareef presented a memento to the President.

President inaugurates Velana International Airport’s new Fuel Farm and Hydrant System

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated a new fuel farm and hydrant system at Velana International Airport, in a ceremony held Thursday evening.

With the opening of the new fuel farm, storage capacity has increased from 13.5 million liters to 45 million liters. This represents a storage capacity increase of three times. Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) completed this undertaking through a loan from China’s Exim Bank.

As part of the project, an 8.4 kilometer underground fuel hydrant system was also installed. The underground system eliminates the need for refuellers, enhancing safety and security standards and enhances fueling efficiency, safety, and sustainability to meet increasing demand and support long-haul flights.

Completed with strict adherence to international standards, this modern infrastructure ensures VIA is equipped for a strong, adaptable future, as per the President’s vision for the of the airport as laid out in the masterplan.

Following the launch of the fuel farm and hydrant system, the President had toured the airport.

Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef and senior government officials attended the ceremony.

President Dr Muizzu Congratulates Trump

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Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated Republican candidate Donald Trump, who is projected to win the United States presidential election.

In a post on X on Wednesday afternoon, President Dr Muizzu joined other world leaders in congratulating Trump on making an apparent stunning political comeback, four years after he left the White House.

In his message, President Dr Muizzu said that the Maldives and the US share a strong partnership based on mutual respect, goodwill and understanding.

I look forward to strengthening our cooperation, address mutual challenges and work towards advancing global peace and prosperity: President Dr Muizzu

Trump has so far secured 267 electoral votes, while Harris has won 224.

As a result, Trump is now projected to have won the presidency and will re-enter the White House as America’s 47th president.

The President inaugurates the public consultation process for the ’20-Year National Development Plan’

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the public consultation process for the 20-Year National Development Plan during a special event held on Wednesday morning at the Maldives Centre for Social Education (MCSE).

Speaking on the occasion, the President emphasized the importance of everyone’s cooperation in both planning and executing the plan for the benefit of the country and future generations. He stated that if the plan is developed and carried out effectively, the country could be recognized as a fully developed nation by 2040.

The President urged that the development masterplan focus on modern technology, the digital economy, and addressing the core challenges faced by the people.

Following the President’s speech, a discussion panel on the 20-year National Development Master Plan commenced. This panel includes parents, teachers, students, institutions, civil society members, individuals in need of medical assistance, and participants from various backgrounds.

The process of creating a 20-year national development plan has begun, with a commitment to complete it within a year. Additionally, the Government has decided to include a clause in the Constitution to grant legal authority to the plan.

This administration will always align with the interests of the people: President Dr Mohamed Muizzu

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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that this administration is one for the people and, as such, will always align with the interests of the people. He made the statement in his address at the launch of the “Hiyaavehi Financing Program” held Tuesday morning.

The President noted that one of the most pressing issues this administration faced was the issue of housing. He said that seeking long-term and sustainable solutions for this a vital aspect, and as such, he gave reassurance the “Hiyaavahi Financing Program” scheme was not one that would be halted one year later. The scheme, he added, was part of the Dhivehinge Raajje manifesto. The scheme is a fulfilment of the loan scheme that capped housing loan interest at five percent and would allow home owners anywhere in the country to upgrade their residences.

The President further noted that the 2025 budget had prioritized on housing, with MVR 1 billion allotted to housing. President Dr Muizzu added that this amount will be apportioned in the next four years’ budget as well. Therefore, he said, every year, MVR 2 billion of housing loans would be leveraged from this MVR 1 billion addition to the scheme.

The President noted that the administration will seek solutions to homeowners who have been unable to proceed ahead with finishing ongoing and planned work on their residences.

In his address, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu reflected on his aims of providing adequate housing options to all citizens. He added that his priority was to fulfill the pledges made in his interactions with citizens in various meetings and platforms.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had thanked Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), Bank of Maldives (BML) and Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), partners in this venture.

The President had announced the interest capped housing loan scheme in his address to the nation at this year’s Independence Day.