Business & Tourism

US issues security alert for Maldives

Special Ops used teargas to disperse opposition supporters celebrating a Supreme Court decision and officers with riot shields on one of Malé’s main roads told people not to take part in any protests, asking everyone to immediately leave.

UK updates Maldives travel advice after clashes

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which last updated its advice over a terror threat, said political protests and demonstrations often took place in Malé and that some led to violence and arrests.

Dismembered and headless corpse found at luxury Maldives resort

The corpse was found floating by the water villas of Soneva Jani in Noonu atoll Thursday morning.

Villa resorts running out of booze

The alcohol importing license for all Villa holiday properties, except Royal Island Resort, was revoked last year. Villa had been importing alcohol to Royal and transferring the stock to its other resorts.

Villa Group slammed by Tourism Ministry

Villa Group was the target of customs and police action earlier this month, with alcohol confiscated from four of its properties.

Maldives slips to 94 on financial secrecy scale

The Maldives country report shows there is either partial or no public online access to information about bank secrecy and wealth registration.

Villa Group under ‘dangerous shadow’ says Gasim

Four Villa resorts have been searched under the suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol released by customs to one of his other holiday properties. The firm has also been accused of owing millions to the state.

Villa Group to sue customs, police officials after raids

Government blasts Nasheed over terror threat claims

Mohamed Nasheed said there was a parallel state of religious radicals ready to overrun the country and there were 300 Maldivians fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Germany cautions citizens following Maldives resort raids

Five properties owned by opposition Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim were raided by authorities on suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol on Wednesday night.

Villa resorts owe $5 million in taxes

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim is in Germany after fleeing the Maldives on medical leave while serving a three-year jail term for bribery. He is also the founder of Villa Group, which owns and manages resorts in the Maldives.

Villa Group goes to court after booze raids

Key opposition leader Gasim Ibrahim is the founder of Villa Group, which owns and manages resorts in the Maldives. The alcohol at his Fun Island resort was confiscated Saturday night following raids on five of his properties.

No threat of terror attack on tourists, says minister

The tourism minister said there was no danger to tourists and that there was no report of a threat to the Maldives.

US issues Maldives travel advisory over terrorism

The influx of US holidaymakers has risen steadily, with an estimated 34,411 tourists visiting last year.

Two tourists drown in the Maldives

One of the victims was from Germany and the other was from China.

Anti-graft watchdog probes project handover to Chinese firm

The Anti-Corruption Commission sent a letter referring to public finance rules and saying projects must be handed over to companies capable of undertaking the work.

Malé land to be leased without bidding

Parliament authorised the government to lease islands for tourism development without any competitive bidding processes in 2016.

Education ministry buys 71,000 tablets for digitisation programme

The education ministry has contracted a technology company to purchase 71,000 tablets in a new venture to digitise the schools of the country.

Gasim’s Villa Shipping sued to recover MVR75 million

The revenue authority has sued Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Shipping group for the recovery of unpaid taxes and fines worth MVR75 million (US$4.8 million).The revenue authority has sued Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Shipping group for the recovery of unpaid taxes and fines worth MVR75 million (US$4.8 million).

More than 10,000 jobs from resort mega project: minister

More than $311.5 million has been invested for the first phase of the Emboodhoo Lagoon project.