First Light

The Maldives is seeking support to build buffers as energy costs rise, a minister told Reuters in a report published on 13 October. Good Morning Maldives (GMM) could not access the full text of the report; the account here rests on its headline and on the published record of the energy shock.

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the strikes on Iran at the end of February, the State Trading Organisation has paid sharply more for fuel. In March the Ministry of Finance put the extra import cost at about USD 20 million a month (opens in a new tab) and the monthly revenue loss from lower tourist arrivals at USD 85–100 million, while subsidised wholesale rates were kept for ferries, public transport and fishermen. The Asian Development Bank has since projected a sharp slowing of growth (opens in a new tab) because of the conflict.

A request for external buffers follows from that arithmetic: imported fuel is priced in dollars, the subsidy is paid in rufiyaa, and reserves were already under close watch when the USD 500 million sukuk fell due in April. The specifics of the request — which partners, what instrument and what amount — await the full report.

The Registrar of the Supreme Court has declined to accept a petition seeking to annul the government's agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills over Rasmalé, Adhadhu reported (opens in a new tab) on 13 October. The petition was filed by lawyer and former MP Ali Hussain. The decision, issued on Sunday, found that the case does not fall within the categories that Article 11 of the Courts Act reserves for the Supreme Court at first instance. The petitioner may ask within 14 days for review by the Court's Judges' Council.

The petition argued that the agreement signed on 21 September 2026 between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Eagle Hills, covering about 500 hectares reclaimed from the Fushidhiggaru lagoon on a 99-year lease, conflicts with Articles 250, 251 and 268 of the Constitution. It asked the court to declare the agreement void and to issue an interim order halting implementation while the case was heard. Article 11 reserves for a bench of at least five judges matters such as a threat to the state, disputes between state institutions over constitutional interpretation, and constitutional questions affecting the public interest.

The decision concerns jurisdiction, not the merits. The government maintains that the land remains state property and that the arrangement follows the model of a resort lease; critics say the basis on which the land was allocated has not been made public.

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has revised the prices it pays for fish, Public Service Media reported (opens in a new tab). The company said it will buy fish at its collection centres and from its vessels at three rates, set by the weight of the catch landed, to match market demand and supply, give fishermen a fair price and support the government's policy of sustaining the fisheries sector.

The revised prices per kilogram are MVR 21 for catches of one to five tonnes, MVR 22 for five to eight tonnes and MVR 22.75 for catches above eight tonnes. MIFCO said purchases at the new rates were under way at its landing sites, including Thinadhoo, Felivaru, Ihavandhoo, Hithadhoo and Mulaku.

The change is the latest in a series. The purchase price was raised to MVR 20 per kilogram in June and to MVR 21 in August, and in September the price for skipjack rose to MVR 22. His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, has said the pricing system will ensure that the price paid for fish does not fall below MVR 20 per kilogram, and MIFCO said it will work to hold prices at or above that level.

More than 300 young people reported on 13 October for the fourth batch of National Service training, Mihaaru reported (opens in a new tab), citing the Ministry of Defence. The three-month programme is held at the training centre on Maafilaafushi. The ministry said 351 trainees from 126 islands are taking part: 287 men and 64 women.

Trainees who complete the course can earn certificates in civic education and leadership, community volunteer firefighting, basic first aid and a peer education training programme. The government pays each trainee an allowance of MVR 6,000 a month for the duration of the training.

National Service, open to those aged 16 to 28, began in October 2025 with the stated aim of a patriotic, responsible and healthy generation. The third batch moved to B. Kihaadhoo on 12 October for the technical stage that follows initial training. The government's target is for 1,000 more young people to complete the programme this year.