Housing & State Firms: MTCC is seeking land to restart its suspended “Hiyaa” staff housing project, with President Muizzu writing to HDC after corruption-linked delays tied to MVR 39m. Fisheries Finance: The World Bank-backed TRANSFORM Project launched the “Aaruveri Matching Grant” (MVR 278m), offering non-reimbursable 40% grants to boost energy efficiency, sustainable production, mariculture, value-added fish and youth/women jobs. Tourism Transport Costs: Cabinet decided to review and reduce IASL/Maldivian domestic airfare for tourists, but critics warn frequency and connectivity matter more than price. Airport Traffic: VIA handled 1.62m passengers in Q2, including 1.04m international travellers and 341,782 seaplane users. Waste Management: Maldives’ first dedicated cancer treatment waste storage facility is planned for Addu, with land handed over and construction targeted to finish this year. Construction Tax & Rules: Parliament approved raising withholding tax on payments to non-resident contractors from 5% to 10%, expected to add about MVR 251m annually. Business Climate Data: Maldives Business School and the University of Michigan launched the Maldives Consumer Sentiment Index to track monthly economic expectations. Shipping Costs: Maersk increased peak season surcharges for Maldives/Sri Lanka imports from East Asia by USD 400 per container from late August. Insurance for Builds: Allied Insurance joined CIF 2026 as official insurance partner, focusing on construction risk management.