First purchase using new currency – a papaya

The first purchase made using the new currency notes which replaced the old, 33 year-old currency notes on Tuesday, is a ripe papaya, bought from a stall in Traders’ Market.

Abdulla Haleel, 52, from H. a. Kelaa, who has been operating a stall in Traders’ Market for over eight years, turned out to be the first businessman to receive the a new currency note for a purchase by a customer; with the customer being none other than Governor of central bank – Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), Dr. Azeema Adam.

She bought the papaya for MVR 100.

Proud and delighted to be the first businessman to receive the new currency note, Haleel expressed the hope that the new notes would be more “advanced” than the previous notes.

“I have not noticed any problem with the previous currency. But it is my hope that the new notes will be more advanced after the research by MMA,” said Haleel.

It is not just by luck that Dr. Azeema happened upon Haleel’s stall to make the first purchase using the new currency notes. It is in fact a stall frequented by Dr. Azeema during her shopping trips to Traders’ Market.

The new currency notes will be available from ATMs sometime during the afternoon on Tuesday.

While the new currency notes show artwork of the country’s natural beauty and individuality, and is printed on polymer paper; it also features a drastic upgrade in security features.

This includes clear window, hidden numbers, masked letters, iridescent patterns, spark ink and textile dots.

The previous currency notes can be used alongside the new currency notes until May. And the old currency notes can be exchanged for the new currency notes from MMA and other banks for the next 5 years.