"In my view, having a strong military force is absolutely necessary for the Maldives to become an economically resilient country capable of achieving development," President Muizzu declared after inaugurating the Gan Air Station, the first airbase established for the army’s new Air Corps. Stability and security are necessary to attract foreign investment, he added. Following the purchase of drones and armoured vehicles, the government plans to buy military aircraft and double the size of the Coast Guard fleet, he said. A record MVR 2.87 billion (US$ 186 million) military budget has been proposed for 2026, up from MVR 1.76 billion in 2023.
Road construction in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, the redevelopment of the Addu City link road, upgrading of the Feydhoo harbour, and road construction in Hithadhoo were among projects launched during President Muizzu's visit to the southernmost atoll. The Housing Development Corporation was enlisted to build 200 housing units across Hithadhoo, Feydhoo and Maradhoo. HDC was also awarded a project to develop a new Central Park in Hithadhoo. The Malé Water and Sewerage Company was contracted to establish water and sewerage services in Feydhoo's reclaimed land. The tourism ministry contracted the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation to develop 600 rooms in the Asseyri Tourism Project.
On his visit to Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, President Muizzu reiterated his pledge to build a bridge to connect the island to Hithadhoo and the other linked islands of Addu. Agreements were signed to upgrade health centres and build a new atoll school. In Hithadhoo, Muizzu pledged to increase electricity generation capacity to 30 megawatts in order to resolve persistent power cuts. Nineteen agreements were signed during the ceremony for infrastructure development in the atoll.
The tourism ministry took control of a 40-hectare stretch of reclaimed land between Hithadhoo and Henkede that was previously allocated by the Addu City Council for tourism development. Highlighting tensions between the central government and the opposition-led Addu City Council, Mayor Ali Nizar boycotted President Muizzu's ceremony in Hithadhoo. The opposition MDP's chairman vowed to restore the tourism zone to the city council.
PNC MP Ahmed Naseer called for allowing the extraction of black and red coral for jewellery. Red coral alone could fetch over US$ 20,000 globally, he said. Other ruling party lawmakers backed lifting the ban and easing fisheries and environmental regulations. They opposed Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas’s resolution against reopening the gulper shark fishery, contending that conserving marine resources for tourism limits benefits for Maldivians who depend on fishing and other economic activities.
Ahead of Thursday evening's deadline for signing agreements for plots awarded under the previous administration's Binveriya scheme, the housing ministry is requiring recipients to sign agreements stating they accept the government can reclaim their Gulhifalhu plots at any time if they are found to be ineligible, Adhadhu reported. The government plans to allocate 3,670 plots in Gulhifalhu, including 1,337 transferred from the Giraavaru lagoon. Recipients of Hulhumalé plots under the scheme were not required to sign similar agreements. Former MP Mariya Didi condemned the move as unconstitutional as it infringes on the right to legal recourse. The former defence minister expressed hope that courts would uphold the principle of duress and strike down the agreement if challenged.
Parliament approved amendments proposed by the government to the special economic zones law of 2014. The changes allow the development of sustainable townships with renewable energy and self-sufficient infrastructure with a minimum investment US$ 500 million. It came after an initial permit was granted in March for a SEZ township in a Noonu atoll lagoon. The proposed project involves “developing luxury real estate, world-class healthcare facilities, and self-sufficient infrastructure powered by at least 60 percent renewable energy.” A minimum investment was set at the time for SEZ townships “aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals and families to reside in the Maldives.”
Economic Minister Saeed introduced a residency by investment program at the 19th Global Citizenship Conference in London. The program is due to officially launch in April.
The Maldives has the highest availability rate of child sexual abuse material in South Asia with 94 reports or notices per 10,000 population in 2024, a study by Child Light Global Child Safety Institute and University of Edinburgh found.
The Housing Development Corporation appealed an Employment Tribunal ruling in favour of its former chief business officer and head of media, Ahmed Yameen, who was dismissed in January. At the High Court hearing, HDC argued that Yameen’s position had been dissolved before he filed the tribunal complaint. The appeal came after the tribunal ordered HDC in July to reinstate him with six months of back pay totalling MVR 144,000.
HDC ordered the removal of vessels from the reclamation area for Hulhumalé Phase 3, allocating alternative mooring locations in the Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi lagoons.
