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Maldives central bank sells $15.2 mln to over 30,000 travelers

The Maldivian Monetary Authority (MMA), the central bank of Maldives, has sold 15.2 million dollars to over 30,000 people before it handed over the service to the country's main bank on Monday.

Statistics show that since MMA had started the sale of dollars on November 20, a total of USD15.2 million were sold to 30,502 people up until Monday.

MMA revealed that the largest exchange of dollars occurred on December 12, where USD814,019 were sold to 1,629 travelers. The least amount of dollars were sold Monday, with USD15,510 being sold to 32 travelers.

Maldives central bank had handled the sale of US dollars during the busy festive period before handing it over to Bank of Maldives (BML) from January 7.

BML last week had announced the introduction of new system to sell US dollars to local travelers.

BML in a statement said travelers will now be able to use an online portal to purchase up to USD 500 per traveling passenger.

Passengers can then simply collect their notes – after check-in – at the Bank’s dedicated collection area at Velana International Airport.

"For those who do not have access to online booking, they can come along to any BML branch in Male’ and pay for their dollars which again will be ready for collection at the airport at the time of traveling," the statement read.

Passengers departing from other international airports within the country will be able to pick up their dollars from the BML branch located closest to that airport.