Maldives

The National Disaster Management Council has approved the 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030', which focuses primarily on protecting the environment and safeguarding against natural and other disasters

Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which prohibit the import, sale, free distribution and use of vaping devices and electronic cigarettes in the Maldives, came into force on 15 December; already nine persons have been sanctioned

The country recorded 1,9 million tourist arrivals to date this year, an increase over the previous two years; the largest number of tourist arrivals came from China, 13,4% of the total

At a press conference on the government's efforts to control tobacco in the Maldives, Minister Nazim mentioned that cessation clinics are in operation and revealed the establishment of helpline 1676

The Kulhudhuffushi City Knowledge Centre, opened by the municipality, was established together with a public library and a wellness centre; the new space for the community will be hub to foster learning, growth and mutual engagement

A project to extend ID card and passport services to all atolls by the end of November next year has been unveiled by President Mohamed Muizzu

248 political appointees were dismissed from their posts as part of cost-cutting measures announced by President Mohamed Muizzu

Import duty on cigarettes and vape will double after the parliamentary committee approved the amendments tabled by the government

The Ministry of Fisheries has opened nominations for the awards given on the occasion of 44th Fishermen's Day, which this year falls on 10 December

The State Electric Company has planted more than 36.000 trees in the three months since the project to plant 500.000 trees over the next five years was launched in June

The National University of Maldives has opened applications for its two-year research and book-writing scholarship programme

Maldives Immigration stated that they encountered considerable difficulties in deporting migrants at the authority's detention centre who did not have legitimate documents

The latest revisions to the Foreign Investment Act will increase the role of foreign investment in the development of the Maldivian economy according to Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economy