Economy
Arrangements have been made for Maldivians to make payments in Maldivian Rufiyaa through "Global Dukaan", an e-commerce platform run jointly by Maldives Post and India Post. The Ministry of Economic Development instructed on 23 September 2026 for foreign businesses operating illegally in sectors reserved for Maldivians, such as wholesale and retail trade and airline cargo and passenger sales agencies, to cease operations before October 8, and published the names of 8 uncontactable companies. Under the first amendment brought to the Foreign Exchange Act, the MMA has mandated Category 'A' tourism businesses to exchange 40 percent of their total monthly foreign currency revenue through banks before the 28th of the following month, with fines of up to 5 million Rufiyaa decided for transactions conducted outside the stipulated rate. During a meeting held in Islamabad with a delegation led by Speaker of the People's Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat announced on 23 September 2026 that direct flights to the Maldives are scheduled to commence once additional aircraft are acquired.
Arrangements have been made allowing payments in Maldivian Rufiyaa for transactions made through "Global Dukaan", which purchases items from popular Indian e-commerce platforms and ships them to the Maldives, officially announced on 23 September 2026. The company stated that under this arrangement, payments can be made without relying on foreign currency limits and without extra fees, and that this service will be available to the public starting Friday, 25 September 2026. Through this platform, customers are given the opportunity to add items from sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, IKEA, Nykaa, and Myntra into a single cart and pay all at once. As goods purchased from Global Dukaan are delivered across the Maldives via Maldives Post's logistics network, this provides immense convenience for Maldivian businesses and individual consumers.
Relevant authorities directed on September 23, 2026, the immediate cessation of businesses operating illegally in sectors reserved exclusively against foreign participation in the Maldives. The directive stated that activities conducted by foreign parties entering business sectors designated for Maldivians are illegal, and efforts are underway to identify and take action against such enterprises. Furthermore, a warning was issued that strict legal action will be taken and operations will be closed down against those who fail to cease and continue operating businesses in violation of these regulations.
To strengthen the financial sector of the Maldives and increase the circulation of foreign currency within the official banking system, important matters relating to resort foreign currency exchange regulations and financial policies were brought to attention on 23 September 2026. The primary goal of these policies is to reinforce the country's foreign currency reserves and ensure that the benefits of foreign currency generated from the tourism sector are delivered to the Maldivian economy and citizens in the most optimal manner. Furthermore, these decisions and policies highlighted the importance of conducting foreign currency transactions under robust principles and ensuring full compliance by resorts with the established financial regulations.
Pakistan's national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has decided and announced the launch of direct flights to the Maldives following the addition of new aircraft to its fleet. This was disclosed on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, at the PIA Head Office in Islamabad, during a meeting held with a delegation led by the Speaker of the People's Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, by the airline's CEO, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat. During this meeting, it was highlighted that establishing direct air connectivity between the two countries would further enhance tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties. Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem stated that launching direct flights between the two countries would further strengthen the brotherly ties between the Maldives and Pakistan and bring economic benefits.