The Bank of Maldives doubled the foreign transaction limit for debit cards linked to Rufiyaa accounts from US$ 250 to US$ 500 per month. But a new 30 percent fee was imposed on purchases from six e-commerce platforms (Temu, Shein, Alibaba, AliExpress, Lazada and eBay) and the US dollar withdrawal limit from foreign ATMs was slashed from US$ 250 to US$ 125 per month. US dollar support for businesses to do telegraphic transfers was raised to 30 percent. The new online shopping fee, dubbed the Temu tax on social media, drew heavy criticism. The opposition chairman said the move “effectively cements a high exchange rate and gives official recognition to what was previously an informal parallel market for USD-MVR.”
The Maldives and Singapore signed MoUs for cooperation on capacity building, tourism promotion and higher education during President Muizzu’s ongoing state visit. He met with the Singaporean president, prime minister and other senior officials. The first couple attended a state banquet hosted in their honour.
Former immigration chief Shaman Waheed's bribery and money laundering trial started at the criminal court. Of five other immigration officials charged over a migrant worker extortion scheme, one has agreed to a guilty plea, prosecutors told the court.
The Maldives will spend £ 8 million on a tourism advertising campaign with Liverpool football club, Mihaaru reported.
Addu Mayor Nizar slammed the designation of Hankede for a halal tourism project. A deal with a Chinese company to develop an integrated tourism zone with a US$ 142 million loan from the Bank of China was scrapped. The loan was delayed due to the government's request to defer debts owed to Chinese banks, Hithadhoo MP Azaan revealed, criticising the cancellation despite previously deciding to proceed with the project planned during the previous administration and holding an inauguration ceremony in April 2024.
Following the death of a warrant officer after a landing craft capsized last week, MNDF denied alleged pressure exerted over the captain to travel during rough weather. "No one can compel the captain to load or unload the vessel,” reads a message on the MNDF's media Telegram group in response to a journalist's query. A Bangladeshi crew member who went missing had been trapped in the wheelhouse along with the warrant officer, a media official revealed.
Parliament accepted a resolution on non-payment of overtime allowances to teachers and healthcare workers. The resolution was sent to a committee for further review with the support of ruling party lawmakers.