Entries by Aminath Zaina Zahir

The New Foreign Investment Act Ratified

The new Foreign Investment Act (Act Number 11/2024) (the “Act”) was ratified on 3 September 2024 introducing significant new rules to the foreign investment framework of the Maldives. The Act will come into effect on 3 December 2024 and will repeal the Maldives Foreign Investment Act of 1979.

MIRA issues Tax Ruling on Deductibility of Donations

On 14 January 2024, MIRA issued a Tax Ruling regarding allowable deductions related to donations. With the issuance of this Tax Ruling, effective from 1 March 2024, MIRA clarifies that only monetary donations made to State institutions or charitable organisations approved by the Commissioner General are eligible for deduction as donation expense.

Changes to Charter License Criteria and the GST Rules for Agents of Foreign Tourist Vessels

On 2 January 2023, the Ministry of Tourism published a new Regulation on Governing Foreign Tourist Vessels Cruising and Harbouring in Maldivian Waters. The new Regulation introduces passenger liner permits for vessels carrying 50 or more passengers with a duration not exceeding 7 days in the Maldives. Agents of such vessels are no longer required to register the vessel as a taxable activity for GST purposes.

The President Ratifies the New Companies Act

The new Companies Act has been gazetted on 27 December 2023 and will be effective on 1 January 2024. The new Act introduces substantial changes to the company law landscape in Maldives bringing major developments that impact companies in Maldives. New compliance and regulatory requirements are also introduced under the new Act.