Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has stated that MVR 203 million has been deposited to the Bank of Maldives (BML) through transactions made via ATMs installed in various islands.

The Minister said this while answering a question raised by MP Mohamed Daood, member for Kulhudhuffushi North constituency, in today's session of the People's Majlis regarding the issue of ATMs not being installed in islands during the previous government.

Responding to the question, the Minister said that before 2024, ATMs were installed in 72 islands. He added that this government installed ATMs in nine additional islands in 2024, and this year, ATMs have been established in 130 islands, bringing the total number of ATMs in service to 180. The Minister also mentioned that only two places are now without ATM services.

The Minister said that 230,000 transactions have been made through these ATMs. He stated that a total of MVR 203 million has been deposited through these transactions, and this is entirely new money entering the banking system.

The Minister also shared information with the Majlis about the amounts deposited to the bank from Male' and the islands through ATM transactions.

"Using the BML network, 14,000 transactions are made daily through ATMs in Male', circulating MVR 79 million, while in the atolls, 9,300 transactions are made daily, circulating MVR 25.7 million through ATMs," Minister Saeed said.