Category: News in Brief

Dollar revenues for Jan-May up 40 percent on last year, says MIRA

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has reported revenues of Rf355.8 million (US$23 million) in May, US$21.7 million of it in foreign currency.

Foreign currency received in the first five months of 2011 had climbed almost 40 percent on the previous year, from US$67.2 million to US$108.5 million MIRA stated.

US$5.6 million was received in May Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), US$4.8 million in tourism taxes and US$5.4 million in airport service charges.

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that based on this year’s TSGT figures, the tourism economy is four times larger than the government’s previous estimates.

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Investment group offers locals free dive with South Maldives initiative

Local people are being invited to experience a free diving session later this month around the islands of S. Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll, as part of a new scheme to promote the pastime nationally.

Investment group Emmen has said that people across the Maldives’ southern regions are being invited to take part in a free dive by instructors from Intoscuba during an open day on June 24.  The event, which starts at 8.00am, will also see additional entertainment and activities being held such as information events and musical performances.

The free test dives will be made available during the open day, along with a special Bubble Making activity for children between eight and ten years of age to experience the environment under the sea, according to organisers.

Following the open day, Emmen has said that entire diving courses will be on offer to interested parties at rates it claims will be “considerably lower” than those currently offered around Male’ to try and ensure strong turnouts with ongoing sponsers being sought to try and cover as much costs as possible.

According to organisers, current costs for Open Water diver and Advance Open Water Diver courses are expected to cost Rf3,900 and Rf3,300 respectively, though further reductions are being targeted with the aid of sponsorships.

Emmen claims that the dive project is expected to move towards northern regions of the country later this year.

More information is available from Emmen on (+960) 742 8225.

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Report claims World Bank stepping up Maldives pension funding

The Maldives is set to receive US$12m in World Bank funding in a bid to bolster its national pension scheme, according to regional news reports.

Haveeru, citing a report in the Colombo-based Daily Financial Times paper, said that the funding was unveiled last week by Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

According to Gaye, the provision of the funding was approved on Thursday (June 2, 2011) as a means to supply additional finance to ensure national social protection measures were available to poorer sections of Maldivian society.

The report stated that funding was expected to be distributed over a four year period from August this year by the World Bank’s own lending body – the International Development Association (IDA).

The World Bank funding is reported to be part of a restructuring programme of the Maldives Pension and Social Protection Administration (PSPA), which has already been the subject of parliamentary amendments earlier this year relating to expatriate payments.

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Thai firm Dusit Thani acquires incomplete resort on Mudhdhoo

A subsidiary company of Thai hotel chain Dusit Thani has acquired a partially-constructed 100 villa on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, reports the Phuket News.

The resort, which is 80 percent complete, was acquired under a 33 year lease at a cost of US$60 million. Completing the resort is estimated to cost a further US$17 million.

Other Thai hospitality companies active in the Maldives include Anantara and Centara.

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Criminal Court sentences ”dangerous criminal” to seven years

An individual identified by the police as a “threat to society” has been found guilty of assault using a sharp weapon and has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

The Criminal Court said Ishag Hassan Manik of Meyvagasdhoshuge in Mahchanholhi ward was found guilty of stabbing Ismail Saif of Raa Atoll Alifushi.

The court said Ishag attacked Saif while he was having tea at a cafe’ in the Alimas Carnival area of the capital.

The incident occurred on March 31, 2011, according to the Criminal Court.

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Adhaalath Party appoints new President and Vice President

The Adhaalath Party (AP) has appointed a new president and vice president to lead the party for the next five years.

Sheikh Imran Abdulla was elected as party president and Dr Mauroof Hussein was elected to serve as its vice president.

Sheikh Imran was the only candidate that contested for the position of president and Dr Mauroof was the only person contested for the position of vice president.

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MP Adil’s Criminal Court case postponed

A Criminal Court hearing concerning allegations of sexual abuse committed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Hassan Adil was reportedly postponed today after the presiding judge fell ill.

Adil, who faces charges relating to the alleged sexual abuse of a female minor, was scheduled to stand before the court this morning at 10am before the hearing was cancelled over a judge’s illness, according to newspaper Haveeru. The report did not specify when the trial may be re-held.

Adil was first taken into custody on April 4 and was released to house arrest after being kept for 15 days in pre-trial detention. He remains in house arrest after the Criminal Court last month extended the period of his detention.

The MP was a former member of the Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) who moved to the MDP after claiming that his constituents wished him to do so.

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‘How Blue Is My Ocean’ art exhibition to mark World Environment Day

The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MPRC) and the National Centre for the Arts are organising an art exhibition for World Environment Day.

The exhibition will feature works by Indian artist and environmentalist, Bipasha Sen Gupta.

The exhibition will be opened to public on June 6 from 10.00 to 16.00 and from 19.00 to 21.00.

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Tiny Hearts to hold fundraising campaign

Tiny Hearts, a local NGO helping children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), will launch the ‘11708’ campaign on Wednesday to raise money for surgery and other activities, reports Haveeru.

A charity football match organised by the charity last year raised Rf265,000 (US$20,500) for patients.

66 out of the the 200 patients registered with the NGO have to be sent abroad for surgery, organisers have said.

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