BML Dollar Counter at Velana International Airport. PHOTO/BML
The Maldives’ main bank stated that it has been selling US Dollars to 200 people on average from its branch at the main airport daily.
In a statement released to mark one month since Bank of Maldives Ltd (BML) shifted US Dollar sales for travellers to Velana International Airport, the bank announced that it had sold total USD 3.4 million to 7,000 travellers over the past month, which is an average of 200 individuals daily.
According to BML, the greatest advantage of shifting dollar sales to the airport is that the bank can now ensure that the dollars are sold exclusively to travellers, thus eliminating its illicit purchase and use. BML also noted that customers no longer need to suffer the long queues to purchase dollars outside BML branches in capital Male.
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.
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.