BML: USD 3.4 mn purchased by 7,000 people in 1 month

National bank, Bank of Maldives has announced it has sold USD 3.4 million to more than 7,000 Maldivians who travelled abroad over the one-month period after it launched its USD Booking Portal.

BML reports that its counters set up in Velana International Airport to issue the dollars serve an average of 200 people a day.

The BML USD Booking Portal – designed to increase convenience and stamp the black market dollar trade – was launched on January 8.

The bank gifted the first 10 customers to collect money from its airport counters, as well as its 1,000th customer with an extra USD 100.

Through the new system, customers can book dollars and make the payment either through the USD Booking Portal or from any of its branches.

The dollars will be issued from the BML counters in front of Departure Gate 4 in Velana International Airport on the day of departure, after the customer shows his/her boarding pass and passport.

Bookings need to be made 8 hours to 120 hours (5 days) prior to time of departure.

Online payment can only be made through BML debit card and no changes can be made once the booking has been confirmed.

Bookings will be cancelled 72 hours after the time of flight departure and refunded within seven days if a customer fails to collect the money.