Category: News in Brief

BML stops issuing Visa Debit cards in rufiya

The Bank of Maldives will cease issuing Visa Debit cards in rufiya from today.

Earlier the bank announced that the Visa Debit cards restriction to dollar accounts would only apply to foreigners in the country, but has now extended this to Maldivian citizens.

“The cards already issued can be used in other countries until the expiry date. After that when renewing or making a new card, Visa Debit will be issued only if the primary account is a dollar account. For rufiyaa accounts Amex Debit Card will be issued which can only be used locally,” Card Centre Head Mohamed Shareef told Haveeru.

The move effectively prevents both locals and foreign nationals from using cards to spend and withdraw rufiya overseas in foreign currency. Many foreign professionals working in the islands, such as doctors and teachers, have complained that this prevents them from sending money home without travelling to Male’.

According to the bank, US$400 per day can be drawn from Visa Debit Cards issued for rufiyaa accounts at foreign point-of-sale machines, and US$200 per day from overseas ATMs.

Shareef told Haveeru that the changes were introduced in agreement with Visa after discussions about the foreign currency status in Maldives.

“The card is issued under conditions. If services are not provided, it is against the agreement with Visa,” he told the newspaper.

The thriving black market for dollars in the Maldives, now somewhat institutionalised, currently ranges from Rf13.2 to Rf15 to the dollar depending on the size of the transaction. The pegged rate is Rf12.85.

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State debt reaches Rf1.6 billion, reports MMA

State debt reached Rf1.6 billion, (US$124.5 million) in July 2010, according a letter sent to parliament by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

Haveeru reported that the state spent Rf4.3 billion (US$334 million) while Rf3.5 (US$272 million) was received to the budget.

According to the letter, the MMA warned that high recurrent expenditure against revenue “would increase domestic demand in Maldives economy, affect the exchange rate and exacerbate the dollar shortage.”

According to Haveeru, the MMA highlighted the importance of passing the bill on income tax this year. It also recommended that foreign currency revenue be retained in the local banking system.

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Male’ motorcycle accident victim dies in India

A second person has died while being treated in hospital following a motorcycle in Male’ accident on October 23.

23 year-old Hassan Amir died Thursday evening while undergoing treatment in India, reported Haveeru.

Shaaheena Hassan, who was thrown from another motorcycle in the collision last week, died during treatment in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) last Sunday October 24.

Three motorcycles and a taxi were involved in the accident last week. The rider on one motorcycle in in police custody.

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Canadian Muslims build Arctic’s first minaret

Canadian Muslims have built the Arctic’s first minaret in Inuvik last month, traveling 4,000 kilometers over land and water to erect the structure which will serve a growing Muslim population in Canada’s far north.

AFP reported that the locally-built minaret has four levels and stands 10 metre off the ground.

“It’s really beautiful when we turn on the lights in the dark,” Amier Suliman, a mosque committee member, told AFP on Wednesday.

Only finishing touches, including applying a second coat of paint inside, and hooking up bathroom plumbing, remain before the mosque’s grand opening next week.

“Some will say it’s a new frontier for Islam,” Suliman told AFP. “But for me what is significant is that Muslims here who once prayed on Fridays at a local Catholic church or in a trailer now have a proper place to worship, with a proper minaret. Now we have a home to worship in our own hometown. That’s the most important for me.”

The facility will also double as a Muslim community center.

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Home ministry to build home for NGOs

The Home Ministry will build a 10 storey building for NGOs in Male’ north of Viyafaariveringe Mosque, as a way of reducing office expenses for civil society organisations in the congested capital.

Deputy Director General Mohamed Waheed said the government expected to begin construction next year.

The cabinet suggested in October that the government construct a building for NGOs with state funds.

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Banks and MMA to close for 10 days over Eid-al Adha holidays

Banks and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) will close for 10 days during Republic Day and the Eid-al Adha holidays, November 11-20.

The MMA said the decision was made in conjunction with banks, however it has raised the ire of the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MNCCI).

“When nine [public] holidays were observed last year, we opened on one day in the middle,” the MMA told Haveeru. “The procedure does not allow employees to fully utilise the holidays. Banks also said that a few customers get the service during the holidays.”

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Alternative medicine clinics shutdown

Five clinics offering alternative medicine in Male’ have been shutdown by the Health Ministry for failing to reach Ministry standards, reports Haveeru.

City Clinic, Indo-German Medical Centre, Cute Relax Alternative Medical Centre, Naeem Alternative Medicine and Green Care Clinic were found to be in breach of Health Ministry guidelines and standards and were shutdown.

According to the Health Ministry, those ‘practising’ medicine at the establishments were not qualified professionals, and, although being run as alternative medicine centres, some of them did not stock any traditional Maldivian medicine.

Some of the clinics did not keep proper patient records while others failed to properly set their price guidelines.

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MNDF commence training in Male’

The Maldives National Defence Force has commenced training exercises in the capital Male’.

MNDF reported that the trainers will be armed and would conduct weapon simulations in Male’ and on some areas of the sea nearby.

The MNDF assured that no weapon dangerous for the people would be used during the training sessions.

MNDF also thanked people for their co-operation.

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Thinadhoo house severely damaged in fire

”Drama” house in Thinadhoo of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll has been severely damaged in a fire yesterday morning, reports the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

MNDF reported that although nobody was injured in the incident, all the household materials in the house were totally burnt.

No neighbors were affected due to the incident, according to MNDF.

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