Economy

Following the completion of the new runway and facilities under the Hanimadhoo International Airport development project, the first international commercial jet landed at the airport on Friday, December 26, 2025. This was a historic operation carried out as part of the completion of the airport's expansion work and the commencement of services for larger aircraft, which will greatly boost tourism in the north of the Maldives. With this flight, Hanimadhoo Airport has officially started welcoming international flights, marking the beginning of a new chapter in regional economic development.

The land reclamation project of Gdh. Faresmaathodaa was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) on December 26, 2025. This project is an important undertaking by the government to find a solution to the land scarcity facing the island and to provide space needed for economic development. Under this agreement, MTCC will carry out the practical works of reclaiming part of the lagoon of Faresmaathodaa and protecting the coastline. It is believed that this project will open up great opportunities for the social and infrastructural development of the island.

The project to develop the roads of GDh. Fiyoari to a modern standard has been officially handed over to Road Development Corporation (RDC) today. Under this project, it is learned that work will be carried out to tar the main roads of the island, establish a drainage system, and install street lights. This is an important development project undertaken by the government to provide a permanent solution to the transportation difficulties faced by the people of Fiyoari. The relevant authorities have signed the handover agreement today.

Maafaru International Airport in Noonu Atoll expects over 800 private jet landings during this year's peak tourist season, and the airport announced on December 26, 2025, that it is hoping for a new record. As this period is when a large number of wealthy tourists visit resorts in the Maldives, the airport's operations have been greatly strengthened and the parking opportunities needed for jets have also been increased. Maafaru Airport has stated that this number is the season with the most jet activity to date for the airport, and that this will lead to a major boost for tourism in the Maldives.

The practical work of sheet piling in that area has officially started on December 26, 2025, under the "Baazaarumathee Magu Fulhaakurumuge Mashroou" (Market Road Expansion Project) being carried out to organize the market streets of Male' and create more space. This project is an important undertaking designed to reduce market congestion and facilitate freight vehicles. The sheet piling work underway in this phase of road widening is an important step towards demarcating the road and strengthening the coastal infrastructure. Although some changes have occurred in the area's traffic with the commencement of this work, it is an important investment for the future of Male's commercial port and market.

According to the 2025 tourism statistics, European countries account for 59 percent of tourists who visited the entire world. This report, published on 26 December 2025, shows a significant increase for Europe in the tourism market compared to other regions. Considering the rate at which international tourism has grown this year, European countries are also the destination most visited by tourists. These statistics reveal that 2025 was a very successful year for the European tourism industry.

The government has today assured that arrangements will be made to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential food items needed by the public in preparation for this year's Ramadan. Under this decision, relevant agencies are working to control commodity prices in the market and facilitate the availability of commonly used items such as onions, potatoes and eggs without running out. Government corporations have now been instructed to increase stocks and maintain supply chains to ensure food security.

Today, December 26, 2025, gold prices in the Maldives market have risen to unprecedented levels. Following changes in the global market price of gold, the prices of 22 carat and 24 carat gold have risen significantly in Maldivian gold shops. With this change, jewelry buyers and investors are facing major challenges, and this is the first time in the history of the Maldives that gold prices have been recorded at such a high level. Market experts speculate that these prices have risen due to shocks in the international financial market.

State Trading Organization (STO) has decided to open its retail stores in islands of the Maldives with a population of more than 3000 people, and this was announced on 26 December 2025. The main objective of this project is to easily provide essential goods and food items needed by the large populations in the atolls at affordable prices. STO notes that with this decision, economic activities in the atolls will increase, and the expenses incurred by the people of the islands to obtain goods will be reduced. The company is currently looking for suitable locations to establish these stores and is proceeding with the administrative requirements.

With the significant progress in the economic sector of the Maldives, statistics released on December 26, 2025, show that there has been a major improvement in the income received from banking services. In addition, it has been revealed that the work of issuing SME loans to assist small and medium enterprises is also progressing rapidly on this date for those who need them. These decisions are important steps taken to strengthen the Maldivian economy and increase government revenue.

The government has disclosed important decisions related to the "China-Maldives Friendship Hospital" project being developed in Villimale' on 26 December 2025. The government stated that this hospital is an infrastructure project being carried out with the assistance of the Chinese government to strengthen the health system of Villimale', and that this will provide quality health services to the residents of that ward. Details of the progress of the hospital construction with modern facilities under this project were officially shared on this date. The government notes this as a symbol of the close relationship between the Maldives and China.

As part of the land reclamation project in D. Maeenboodhoo, on 26 December 2025, important work was carried out to build sand bunds around the reclaimed area of the island. This work is a construction effort undertaken to protect the area before the actual land reclamation work begins and to prevent sand from flowing out of the reclaimed area. In this phase of the government's project to find a solution to the land scarcity in Maeenboodhoo, the work of building the sand bund wall is now progressing at a rapid pace. With the completion of this work, the stage of adding the sand needed to increase the island's land area will officially begin.