Economy

After a five-year hiatus, Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa in Addu City officially reopened on December 30, 2025. The opening of this resort is a great advancement for Addu's tourism and the region's economy, and as a result, a large number of job opportunities have reopened. After being closed for many days, the resort has opened fully prepared to welcome guests with modern changes. The people of Addu City and those in the tourism sector have warmly welcomed this historic decision.

The head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), Ibrahim Saajid, has been suspended from his responsibilities today. While the MMA has confirmed that he was suspended on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the institution has not yet disclosed the specific reason for this decision. It has been reported that this is a step taken to investigate issues that need to be addressed in accordance with the MMA's regulations, and the central bank has not yet released further details regarding this matter.

The Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO), which provides waste management services in Male', has decided on December 30, 2025 to reduce the fees charged for waste disposal services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The company stated that this decision is a step taken to reduce the financial burden on businesses and to strengthen the maintenance of cleanliness of Male' streets. It is estimated that a large number of small businesses will benefit from this new change, and this is a decision made as part of the work to strengthen the planned waste management system.

The decision to suspend the pension given to those who rejoin employment after being retired from state employment has been made, and this was announced on 30 December 2025. Relevant authorities inform that this decision is a step taken to reduce state expenses and to prevent one person from receiving two incomes from the state budget. Under this new rule, employees who rejoin the Civil Service or other state institutions after reaching retirement age will not receive pension money for the duration of their employment. With the implementation of this change, it has been decided that retirement pensions will only be available to those who have left employment and are not engaged in other income-generating work.

AA. An agreement to provide seaplane service to Thoddoo was officially signed on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The purpose of this project is to further expand tourism in Thoddoo and to facilitate easy transportation, as noted at the signing ceremony of this agreement. With the commencement of this service, tourists visiting the island and the island's residents will have great relief from transportation difficulties.

Today, 30 December 2025, the government has decided to establish storage facilities or warehouses specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the main ports of Maldives. Under this project, relevant authorities inform that arrangements will be made for businesses to store goods at reasonable prices in Malé and the main atoll ports. The main objective is to solve the space constraints faced by small businesses in importing goods and to help reduce their operating costs. It is believed that with these new facilities, port congestion will be reduced, and cargo handling and storage operations will be faster than before.

As a solution to the challenges facing the housing sector, significant work has been carried out on December 30, 2025, to disburse loans under the "Hiyaavehi Financing Scheme" and provide assistance needed by households. Under this project, it has been decided to provide financial assistance at easy interest rates for building houses on private land and for repairs, and this is part of the government's efforts to easily ensure housing for the people. With this assistance announced today, a large number of families will have the opportunity to overcome housing difficulties and improve their living standards.

The test flights conducted at Funadhoo Airport to install the lighting systems needed for flights to land during nighttime hours and to test the system were successfully completed on December 30, 2025. This activity carried out on this date is an important step taken to expand the airport's services to 24 hours, and these test flights have ensured that there are no technical obstacles to night travel. With this decision, the operations of Funadhoo Airport will be further strengthened, and the region's transportation system will see a major improvement.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has provided significant easements to the procedures for clearing goods imported to the Maldives by air on December 30, 2025, and further expedited the service. As part of this work underway at the Velana International Airport's cargo terminal, obstacles to releasing goods to businesses have been resolved, and the system for clearing goods has been further strengthened with the help of modern facilities. The company announced today that with this change, the time spent removing goods during peak periods at the airport at the end of the year will be greatly reduced.

Bank of Maldives (BML) has signed an agreement on December 30, 2025, to contract a party to carry out the work of affordable housing units initiated by the bank. The housing units built under this project are an important activity carried out by the bank to provide housing to the public at reasonable prices. Under this agreement, it is planned to complete the practical construction work within the stipulated period. The main objective of this project is to provide assistance from the bank to find a solution to the housing problem facing the Maldives.

With the end of this year approaching, significant concerns have arisen among many employees regarding the planned salary reductions and changes to the wage structure. According to information that surfaced on 30 December 2025, it is believed that the changes to the salary structure will negatively impact workers' income. Questions have arisen regarding the reduction in employee rights and benefits due to these decisions, and it is noted that this will be a major challenge economically and for living standards. Employees are calling on the relevant authorities to act responsibly in this matter.

It was revealed on 30 December 2025 that the budget allocated for travel from the state budget had been overspent, and the budget was tight by the end of the year. Due to increased spending on official trips by various government ministries, a larger portion than allocated has now had to be spent. Financial institutions are expressing concern regarding this matter, and it has been decided to take strict measures to reduce state expenditures. Experts note that facing such a financial challenge at the end of the year will have a major impact on the state's financial economy in the coming year.

Preparations have now been completed to begin the practical work of land reclamation needed for the airport project planned to be developed in Haa Alif Dhihdhoo next week. Under this project, the work of dredging and reclaiming land needed for the airport will proceed with the aim of strengthening the island's economic and transportation sectors. With the commencement of this major project, which is linked to the long-standing hopes of the people of Dhihdhoo, it is believed that a major change will come to the atoll's transportation system. While the government has completed all the preparations needed to start this work, this is an important step towards the development of the area.

Today, Velana International Airport is facing major challenges in providing services due to the arrival of a large number of tourists coinciding with the first tourist season after the opening of the new terminal. With a record number of tourists visiting the Maldives on December 30, 2025, the airport management notes that immigration queues have lengthened and pressure has increased on terminal arrangements. Relevant authorities are now working to further strengthen airport operations and provide faster services to tourists in order to overcome these challenges encountered in the first phase of this new season.

The government has announced that the work on the drainage system being carried out under the second phase of Boduthakurufaanu Magu in Male' is progressing rapidly and is scheduled to be completed by 30 December 2025. Pipe laying and the establishment of pump stations are currently underway in various areas of the road as part of this project, which is an important undertaking to find a permanent solution to the flooding problem in the area during the rainy season. Noting that the practical work of this phase is proceeding according to schedule, the relevant authorities are taking steps to minimize the difficulties faced by road users.