ADB Energy Security Loan: The Maldives signed a USD 50m ADB deal to ease fuel-import pressure, targeting diesel for electricity and water, plus fuel for transport of food/medical supplies and inter-island logistics. FX Reserves & Dollar Strain: Official foreign currency reserves fell to USD 638.03m by end-July, down from USD 1.33b in March, as big external debt repayments and an India currency swap repayment hit reserves while banks struggle to meet dollar demand. Monetary Policy Oversight: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee met with MMA officials on monetary measures to mop up excess MVR, including raising the minimum reserve requirement from 10.5% to 11% from September and aiming for 13% by year-end. Tourism Tax Push: The government moved to levy GST on offshore booking platforms and foreign tour operators using the destination principle, with an estimate of over MVR 1.6bn annually; MP Abbas warned tourism shouldn’t be “milked dry” as occupancy pressures mount. Digital Payments & Startups: FasterCapital backed Roam Dhuniye via EquityPilot to speed eSIM adoption for travelers, while a Maldives–India UPI link via Favara supports faster cross-border payments for tourism-linked spending. Infrastructure & Connectivity: MTCC was contracted for a Vilimale’ dinghy jetty (MVR 14.91m) and coastal protection works (MVR 45.66m), and a tourism delegation led by Minister Mohamed Ameen heads to Russia to boost air connectivity and trade ties. Housing Progress: Rasmalé reclamation is now 55% complete, with 556.54 hectares reclaimed so far toward 1,009 hectares.