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Maldives to graduate from ‘least developed’ country

Maldives is set to graduate from a ‘least developed country’ (LDC) to a ‘developing country’ by December next year, according to the Minister of Economics and Development, Mohamed Rasheed.

Speaking at a press conference, Rasheed said that at a recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Geneva a ministerial envoy had discussed many issues regarding the transition.

Rasheed said that graduating from a LDC would open the Maldivian economy to many opportunities, particularly the chance to broaden its activities from its staples of tourism, fishing and construction.

“After graduation the country needs to keep improving the economy,” he said. “This is only possible through foreign investment and the reinvestment of wealth.”

Rasheed explained that under the WTO’s framework, countries graduating would receive a five year aid package of US$1.5 million annually.

Rasheed also addressed the issue of foreign investment and international trade, both key factors he claimed would stimulate the Maldivian economy.

Describing one method of boosting foreign investment, Rasheed recounted a meeting with the Swiss minister for economics and trade that led to a tax agreement whereby Swiss companies investing in the Maldives will only have to pay Maldivian taxes on that investment, making them exempt from high Swiss taxes.

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Customs make largest drug bust of 2009

Maldives Customs Service has intercepted over five kilograms of the drug ketamine at Male’ International Airport in the country’s largest drug bust this year.

Director of Intelligence and Special Operations Abdul Rasheed Ibrahim said the drugs were found in the luggage of an Indian national, Abdullrasulhan Abdulmukthalif, concealed inside a cardboard box with a hidden compartment.

Customs officers noticed irregularities when they scanned the box, and discovered 29 packets of suspected narcotics, carefully wrapped in polythene.

Lab tests confirmed the substance as 5.09kg of ketamine with trace amounts of cocaine, Ibrahim said, the first recorded case of ketamine being illegally brought into the country.

Ketamine is commonly used as a dissociative anesthetic in both humans and animals. Although a regulated drug, it is widely used as an illegal recreational narcotic.

Abdulmukthalif was travelling on Sri Lankan flight UL507 travelled to Male’ on the 15 December from Chennai via Trivandrum and Colombo.

Customs officers said Abdulmukthalif’s itinerary revealed that his final destination was Jakarta, a trip he had made four separate times, and each time he allegedly took a cardboard box on behalf of a friend from Chennai.

Ibrahim said although the street value of the drugs was Rf 6.5 million, he did believe the final destination of the drugs was the Maldives.

This was the 12th incident of illegal narcotics transportation this year discovered by customs officials, he said, adding that the total seized now stood at 12.56 kilograms (a combined street value of Rf 11 million).

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One million Rf chunk of ambergris found in Baa Atoll

A group of people who went fishing from Fulhadhoo in Baa Atoll found an 8.5 kilogram piece of ambergris thought to be worth up to one million Rf, reports Haveeru.

Abdul Kareem Mohamed, 47, found the piece of ambergris whilst on a fishing trip to Baa Undoodhoo. Mohamed and the dhoni crew who discovered the ambergris are currently in Male’ trying to sell it.

Even though many modern chemicals are used in the manufacture of perfumes, ambergris remains popular and fetches a very high price in the market.

One of the largest pieces of ambergris found was the “bark splendid of Dunedin” New Zealand, which was found in 1883 and wieghed in at 983 lb( 446.82 Kg). It was sold for $250,000.

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Swine flu to spread in coming months

Health Ministry officials have warned of an increase in the spread of swine flu in the coming months.

Director General of Health Services Dr Ibrahim Yasir said there would be more opportunities for the spread of the disease with many people returning to the Maldives after the school holidays.

Dr Ahmed Jamsheed from the Centre of Community Health and Disease Control said it was important to keep children away from school if they had flu symptoms.

The Health Ministry also said plans were being made to further increase awareness about the disease.

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Accident victim dies of head injuries

One of the four victims in last week’s motorcycle accident at Gaafu Alifu Gemanafushi has died from his injuries.

Ali Ahthar was moved to IGMH last Friday after suffering a brain haemorrage when two motorcycles collided. IGMH said the 18-year old could not be flown overseas for further medical attention because his condition too unstable.

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Lost fishermen found

According to MNDF coast guard, the two fisherman from H. Dh. Neykurendhoo lost while out on a fishing trip have been found.

Hussain Abdulla, 43, and Mohamed Shifau, 15, left the island at around 7am on Saturday and failed to return.

Following a search and rescue operation carried out by the coast guard, the vessel was found today at 6.59am this morning,four miles off the coast of Neykurendhoo.

Both men were in good health and the boat is currently being assisted back to Neykurendhoo. The Coastguard noted that the vessel did not contain any mean of communication and urged people travelling in ocean-going vessels to ensure they had such equipment.

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MNDF rescues stranded Somalians

A dinghy containing five Somalian nationals was rescued after it was discovered adrift off the coast of Addu on Friday night.

MNDF southern command, who discovered the dinghy, said one of the men was in need of medical attention and was being treated at the Seenu Feydhoo Health Centre.

According to Miadhu, this is the second dinghy containing Somalians found in the area within the space of a few days.

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State charge man of hiding Moosa Inaz

A man has been been charged for hiding fugitive Moosa Inaz, who was convicted for his part in the 2007 Sultan Park explosions.

Ahmed Jihad of M. Liyaage, is charged for hiding Inaz in his room. Inaz allegedly gave the authorities the slip while on a visit to ADK hospital.

Police said Inaz then hid in Jihad’s room, and that Jihad lied to police when they came looking for him.

Jihad had denied the charge of hiding a fugitive and has requested a lawyer.

Police said Inaz has a past history of escaping from authorities, managing to do so from both Maafushi jail and Dhoonidhoo jail.

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Onions reach US$950 a ton

The State Trading Organisation is trying to import more onions and potatoes into the country, in an attempt to bring down the current high prices of these two basic commodities.

But according to Miadhu, the STO might have to look elsewhere than India for onions where a ton of onions currently costs US$950.

However, India does provide letters of credit which enables the STO to purchase these goods without buying foriegn currency.

Managing Director Shahid Ali said that STO aims to sell these goods at affordable rates to retailers.

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