The Maldivian government has approached the Vitol Group, a Switzerland-based Dutch multinational energy and commodity trading company, for a $70 million loan, local media reported. The request comes as the government struggles to secure funding from financial institutions due to recent credit downgrades.
Vitol, which is contracted to import oil sold in the Maldives by State Trading Organisation (STO) and to provide bunkering services in collaboration with STO, is reportedly considering the loan request.
The government is believed to be seeking the loan to strengthen its reserves and improve the country’s credit rating, which was downgraded earlier this year by international agencies Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.
Moody’s downgraded the Maldives to Caa2, pointing to high credit risk, while Fitch lowered its rating to CC, citing fears of default.
Media reports suggest Vitol is offering a loan with a three-year repayment term, though the government is said to be pushing for an extended repayment period.
An official disclosed that the loan would carry an interest rate higher than 11 per cent, alongside a significant success fee.
Both Moody’s and Fitch have raised concerns over the Maldives’ rising debt and fiscal imbalances, leading to difficulties in securing traditional loans.
The Ministry of Finance has not yet commented on the reports.