AGP Executive Report

Political Accountability: The Elections Commission fined Adhaalath Party MVR 25,000 over incomplete financial records; former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has also been removed from the MDP’s National Council WhatsApp group while in custody over child sexual abuse allegations. Rasmale’ Rules: A proposed real-estate law allows leasehold properties to be resold for up to 99 years, while barring alcohol, pork and gambling and prohibiting sales to Israeli citizens or linked entities. Tourism & Business: Bank of Maldives says it does not process Russia-related transfers, after hotel payments for Russian tourists began bouncing. Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee approved scrapping tax on foreign tour operators. Health & Weather: Medicine shortages are driving residents to rely on travellers bringing prescriptions from abroad. Heavy rain flooded homes in Nolhivaram, with more rain and thunderstorms forecast. Death Penalty: A bill proposes hanging as the sole method of execution, subject to court review and agreement from the victim’s heirs. Tourism: October arrivals reached a monthly record, with more than 194,000 visitors.

Child-Safety Case: Former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid remains in custody for 30 days over allegations of sexually abusing a minor; his lawyers have appealed. The Health Ministry warns that sharing details that could identify child victims is illegal. Weather Emergency: Flooding damaged at least 47 homes in Kolamaafushi, where the council says it has no suitable shelter for displaced families. A whirlwind injured one person and damaged homes in Lhaimagu, as heavy rain and flooding remain possible through November 11. Football: Maldives lost 3-0 to Pakistan in the SAFF Championship, leaving Pakistan close to a semi-final place. Tourism: October arrivals topped 194,000, a monthly record, though year-to-date arrivals remain below 2025 levels. Regional Ties and Media: President Muizzu’s Pakistan visit continues to prompt debate over the Maldives’ regional partnerships. At a Beijing media summit, Maldivian delegates called for small nations and their languages to be protected as AI reshapes journalism. Business Support: Bank of Maldives is accepting applications until November 10 for two startup grants of MVR 500,000 each.

Media: A Maldivian delegation led by PSM Chair Aminath Namza is attending the World Media Summit in Beijing, where she called for human-centred AI and protection for small nations and their languages. Politics: MDP presidential hopeful Fayyaz Ismail called the government’s term deeply damaging to the economy. Former foreign minister and opposition figure Abdulla Shahid was arrested over child sexual abuse allegations; authorities have urged the public not to share details that could identify child victims. Tourism: Manhattan Grand, a 162-room hotel in Hulhumalé, has opened after years of delays. October arrivals topped 194,000, while year-to-date arrivals remained below 2025 levels. Public Safety: Flooding damaged at least 47 homes in Kolamaafushi, where the council says it lacks shelter for displaced families. A whirlwind injured one person and damaged homes in Lhaimagu; heavy rain and flood risks are forecast through Nov. 11.

Hospitality: Manhattan Grand, a 162-room hotel in Hulhumalé, has opened after years of delays, adding airport-side rooms and major conference facilities. Severe Weather: Flooding damaged at least 47 homes in Kolamaafushi, where displaced families have nowhere to shelter; a whirlwind in Lhaimagu injured one person and damaged homes. The Met Office warns of heavy rain and possible flooding through November 11. Foreign Policy: President Muizzu’s Pakistan visit has reignited debate over closer security ties with Islamabad and how the Maldives balances regional partnerships. Tourism: October arrivals reached a monthly high, but visitor numbers for the year remain below 2025 levels. The government is also moving to repeal the 17 percent tax on foreign tour operators, a key issue for the industry. Public Health: The Health Ministry has warned media and the public not to share details that could identify child victims of abuse. Clean Transport: A new government agreement will train local technicians to maintain electric vehicles and charging stations.

Flooding & Weather: A whirlwind damaged homes and businesses in Sh. Lhaimagu, injuring one person, while flooding in GA. Kolamaafushi damaged at least 47 homes and left displaced families without suitable shelter. The Met Office warns of heavy rain and possible flooding through November 11. Child Protection: The Health Ministry has urged the public and media not to share details or images that could identify child victims, amid a high-profile abuse case. Tourism: October arrivals reached a monthly record, though visitor numbers remain below last year’s pace. The government is also moving to repeal the 17% tax on foreign tour operators. Public Safety: Customs seized 3.15 kilograms of synthetic cathinones in postal and courier shipments. Health: A BML-funded initiative has produced 10 free exercise videos for people of different ages and abilities, supporting efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases. Diplomacy: President Muizzu has renewed his call to revive SAARC, as the Maldives seeks stronger regional cooperation.

Tourism: The Maldives welcomed more than 194,000 visitors in October, a record monthly high, but arrivals for the year remain below 2025 levels. The government is also moving to repeal the 17% tax on foreign tour operators, amid industry concerns over tourism costs. Investment: China’s Sanya city is seeking closer ties with the Maldives in marine tourism, yacht services and trade. Health: The Health and Family Expo opened in Hulhumalé as the health minister called for lifestyle changes to counter rising non-communicable diseases. Politics: Opposition leader Abdulla Shahid has appealed his arrest warrant over allegations of child sexual abuse; he remains in custody as the case proceeds. Digital Economy: A Commonwealth study estimates AI could add US$112 million to the Maldivian economy over a decade, while warning that youth readiness needs improvement.

Political Developments: Opposition leader Abdulla Shahid has appealed his arrest warrant in a child sexual abuse investigation; he remains in custody as the case proceeds. Tourism: Visitor arrivals have topped 1.8 million but remain below last year’s pace. The government is moving to repeal the 17% tax on foreign tour operators, while Visit Maldives has launched its 2027 campaign. Visitor Safety: A diver says another man tried to pull off his mask and regulator during a fight at the crowded Kuda Rah Thila reef; an investigation has been sought. Economy and Technology: A Commonwealth study estimates AI could add $112 million to the Maldivian economy over a decade, but says the country needs to improve young people’s readiness. Health: The Health and Family Expo opened in Hulhumalé as the health minister urged lifestyle changes to address rising non-communicable diseases.

Political Case: Opposition leader Abdulla Shahid has appealed his arrest warrant over allegations of sexually abusing a minor. He remains in custody after a court ordered a 30-day remand; the allegations have not been proven. Health: The Health and Family Expo has opened in Hulhumalé, as Health Minister Geela Ali warns that rising non-communicable diseases make healthier lifestyles urgent. AI and Jobs: A new Commonwealth study estimates AI could add $112 million to the Maldivian economy over a decade, but ranks the country 28th of 56 for youth readiness. Tourism: Arrivals have passed 1.8 million but are about 3% below last year’s pace. The government has signalled plans to exempt overseas travel agents and tour operators from the 17% tax, welcomed by industry group ABTA. Diving Safety: Authorities are investigating an alleged underwater confrontation at a crowded reef after a diver said another man tried to grab his breathing equipment. National Honour: Italy has posthumously awarded MNDF Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhy its Gold Medal for Civil Valor for his sacrifice during a search-and-rescue operation in Vaavu Atoll.

Tourism: The government is moving to repeal the 17% tax on overseas tour operators after industry backlash, with tourism officials assuring trade representatives the levy will be withdrawn. A new “Visit Maldives Year 2027” campaign aims to grow arrivals and bring more benefits to local communities. Dive Safety: An underwater confrontation at the crowded Kuda Rah Thila reef is under investigation after a diver alleged another man grabbed at his breathing equipment. Politics: Former foreign minister and opposition leader Abdulla Shahid has been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations. Healthcare: The Maldives has secured a USD 9.7 million Kuwait Fund loan toward a 50-bed hospital in Th. Veymandoo, expected to improve access to care across the atoll.

Political Fallout: Former foreign minister and MDP leader Abdulla Shahid has been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations and remanded for 30 days. Dollar Supply: Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed told Parliament the government supplied banks with USD 1.94 billion in its first three years—80% more than the MDP government did in its final three—and registered 313 foreign investments. Healthcare: The Maldives and Kuwait Fund signed a USD 9.7 million loan agreement for a 50-bed hospital in Veymandoo, expected to reduce patient transfers to Malé. Tourism: The Maldives launched its “Visit Maldives Year 2027” campaign in London, while hotelier Mohamed Khaleel warned that the now-abandoned overseas travel provider tax proposal has damaged the country’s reputation and recovery could take years.

Tourism: The Maldives has launched its “Visit Maldives Year 2027” campaign at the World Travel Market in London, aiming to draw visitors while involving local communities. But hotelier Mohamed Khaleel warns the proposed 17% tax on overseas travel providers has damaged confidence and could take years to recover from, despite plans to repeal it. Politics: Former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been arrested over child sexual abuse allegations. Healthcare: Kuwait’s development fund has signed a KD 3 million loan to help build a 50-bed hospital on Veymandhoo, expected to open in 2029 and serve nearby islands. Economy: Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed says 313 foreign investments were registered in the government’s first three years. President Mohamed Muizzu has also called for the country to break free from debt and achieve economic independence.

Political Turmoil: Opposition leader Abdulla Shahid was remanded for 30 days as police investigate allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. Shahid denies the claims, calling them politically motivated. Sovereignty: President Mohamed Muizzu vowed to protect the Maldives’ “red line” of independence, saying major economic changes are needed to strengthen the country. Tourism: Visit Maldives Year 2027 was unveiled at WTM London, with a year-long campaign spanning resort events, local festivals and cultural experiences. The country welcomed 194,039 tourists in October, up 0.9% year on year, though arrivals so far this year remain below 2025 levels. Healthcare: Muizzu established a central governing body for government tertiary hospitals, dissolving the boards of six facilities. Small Business: Bank of Maldives now allows MSMEs to receive US-dollar payments from overseas customers through its payment gateway, a move the Economic Ministry says will support local businesses’ access to global markets.

Political Turmoil: Opposition MDP leader and former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been arrested under a court warrant on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor. Police say the investigation is ongoing; Shahid denies the allegations and calls them politically motivated. His arrest comes as he seeks the MDP’s 2028 presidential nomination. Healthcare: President Muizzu has dissolved the governing boards of six state hospitals and established a central Maldives Tertiary Hospitals Group to oversee tertiary care. Tourism: The Maldives welcomed 194,039 visitors in October, up 0.9% year-on-year, but arrivals so far this year are down 2.9% to about 1.8 million. Business: BML is enabling small businesses to receive overseas payments in US dollars through its payment gateway, a move the Economic Ministry says will support exporters and online businesses. Media Freedom: A court has ordered Adhadhu to provide passwords for four seized laptops, requiring data extraction in the presence of a media commission representative and safeguards for confidential information. Education: Parliament has unanimously advanced a bill to create a regulated homeschooling framework, with provisions for children unable to attend school.

Political Developments: Opposition MDP leader Abdulla Shahid was arrested under a court warrant and is being investigated over allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor, police said. Education: Parliament unanimously advanced a bill to create the Maldives’ first regulated homeschooling framework, referring it to committee. Tourism: The Maldives recorded 194,039 international arrivals in October, up 0.9% year on year; tourist arrivals for the first ten months remained 3.5% below 2025. Small Business: BML is opening its payment gateway to MSMEs receiving overseas payments in US dollars, while Maldives Post launched a separate initiative to improve small firms’ market access. Media Freedom: A court ordered Adhadhu to provide passwords for four seized laptops, with data extraction to take place in the presence of a media commission representative and safeguards for confidential information. Chagos Dispute: President Muizzu appointed a commission to investigate the previous administration’s handling of the Maldives–Mauritius maritime boundary case, after experts said the country lost sea territory. Fisheries: MIFCO raised its skipjack tuna purchase price to MVR 23 per kilogram.

Chagos Inquiry: President Mohamed Muizzu has appointed a commission to probe the previous administration’s handling of the Maldives-Mauritius maritime-boundary case; his office says it cost the country sea territory and marine resources. Rasmalé Dispute: Housing Minister Abdulla Muthalib called a USD24 billion valuation of reclaimed Rasmalé “flawed,” while an MDP resolution seeks a referendum and disclosure of Eagle Hills’ project terms. Business & Investment: BML opened its USD payment gateway to MSMEs, and firms can offset overdue state payments against tax bills. A China-Maldives investment forum in Malé brought together 41 Chinese companies to discuss green, blue and digital-economy projects. Fisheries: MIFCO raised its skipjack purchase price to MVR23 per kilogram. Mental Health: First Lady Sajidha Mohamed urged equal access to care across the islands, citing the national helpline and integration into primary healthcare. Heat Risks: ILO projections put Maldives’ heat-related lost work at about 2,400 full-time job equivalents by 2040. Public Safety: Five people were injured in a gas-cylinder explosion at a Hulhumalé café.

Mental Health: First Lady Sajidha Mohamed called for equal access to mental-health care across the Maldives, regardless of where people live, and urged action to reduce stigma and improve early support. Chagos Inquiry: President Mohamed Muizzu has appointed a commission to investigate the previous administration’s handling of the Maldives-Mauritius maritime boundary case. The President’s Office says expert reviews found the country lost a large area of sea territory. Rasmale’ Debate: Housing Minister Abdulla Muthalib called a reported USD 24 billion valuation “flawed,” arguing it applies developed Hulhumalé land prices to newly reclaimed Rasmale’. An opposition resolution seeks a public referendum on the Eagle Hills project. Business Support: Bank of Maldives opened applications for a payment gateway enabling small businesses to receive international payments in US dollars. A second youth financing round also offers eligible entrepreneurs up to MVR 150,000 without collateral. Fisheries: MIFCO raised its skipjack tuna purchase price to MVR 23 per kilogram, citing its anniversary and the need to expand processing capacity. State Payments: Businesses can apply to offset overdue government payments against tax liabilities owed to MIRA. Small States: Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam co-chaired a Commonwealth meeting calling for stronger partnerships and investment to build resilient small-state economies.