Tourism and other foreign currency-earning businesses deposited USD 670.8 million with banks in 2025 following the implementation of the Foreign Currency Act, while the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) released USD 1.1 billion into the foreign exchange market during 2025.

According to the MMA's annual report, 182 resorts, guesthouses, travel agencies and safari operators registered under the regulations introduced through the Foreign Currency Act, which came into effect in January 2025. The report noted that businesses earning foreign currency are required to exchange a specified portion of their income through banks, with banks subsequently selling 75 per cent of the USD 670.8 million received to the central bank.

The MMA stated that increased foreign currency receipts through banks helped maintain official reserves at a sustainable level and strengthened the central bank's ability to intervene in the foreign exchange market. The additional inflows also enabled the central bank to increase foreign currency support provided through the banking system for imports and business-related transactions.

The central bank released USD 1.1 billion in 2025, representing a 10 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Of this amount, USD 650 million was allocated to State-owned enterprises for fuel purchases, imports of staple food items, medicines and medical equipment, and the settlement of foreign debt obligations. A further USD 447.6 million was provided through banks to assist individuals and businesses, while USD 436 million was used to meet Government foreign debt repayments and other overseas obligations, as well as expenditure related to health, education and training.

The MMA said foreign currency disbursements to individuals, businesses and the Government increased by 29 per cent in 2025 compared with the previous year, largely due to higher demand for US dollars, increased allocations for health-related assistance and the distribution of foreign currency received under the Foreign Currency Act.