BML CEO Andrew Healy (C) and Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee (R) at ceremony held to mark BML Dollar Counter selling over USD 1 million at Velana International Airport. PHOTO/BML
The Maldives’ main bank has sold over USD 1 million within two weeks of commencing US Dollar sales to travellers from Velana International Airport.
Bank of Maldives Ltd (BML) began selling US Dollars to travellers only from the airport from January 8. BML also launched an online portal for passengers to book and pay for dollars in advance, after which they can receive the cash from the BML Dollar Counter established in the airport after the check-in procedures.
In a statement, the main bank announced Sunday that BML has sold USD 1 million to 2,500 tickets from its airport counter. BML also held a special ceremony to celebrate the achievement, which was attended by the bank’s CEO Andrew Healy and Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Mohamed Shainee.
As before, BML sells maximum USD 500 for a single ticket. Moreover, at most five people may be included in a single online booking.
Prior to the establishment of the BML Dollar Counter at the airport, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) had directly sold US Dollars to travellers during the last year end vacation. The central bank reported that it had sold approximately USD 14 million during the holidays.