President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Maldives will dedicate the next two years to advancing the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), following concerns raised by business owners earlier this month.
Writing on his official X account on Sunday, the President said the decision stems from issues highlighted during a meeting with SME representatives on 17 December 2025. The matters raised were subsequently reviewed by the Cabinet on Wednesday, resulting in several policy decisions designed to strengthen the SME sector.
ކުދި އަދި މެދު ފަންތީގެ ވިޔަފާރީގެ ދާއިރާގެ ވިޔަފާރިވެރިންނާއެކު 17 ޑިސެންބަރު 2025 ގައި ބޭއްވުނު ބައްދަލުވުމުގައި ވިޔަފާރިވެރިން ފާހަގަކުރެއްވި ކަންކަމުގެ އަލީގައި، އެ ދާއިރާ ކުރިއެރުވުމަށް މެނިފެސްޓޯގައި ކަނޑައަޅާފައިވާ ކަންކަމާއި ސަރުކާރުން އެ ދާއިރާއާއި ގުޅޭގޮތުން ކުރިޔަށް…
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) December 28, 2025
According to the President, the Government has now formally identified 2026 and 2027 as the period for implementing “special measures” to promote SME development. Some initiatives are set to take effect from 1 January 2026, with further details expected to be released by the relevant Government authorities in the coming days.
During the December meeting, business owners outlined a number of operational challenges faced by SMEs. President Muizzu reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting businesses “at all levels” and pledged to address the concerns presented by the private sector.
“Small businesses are essential to economic diversification, strengthening communities and driving innovation across the Maldives.”
Responding to one of the key requests from industry representatives, the Maldives Customs Service has already extended its air cargo clearance services to 24 hours — a move expected to streamline imports and improve turnaround times for local businesses.
While the Government has yet to release the full list of forthcoming policy measures, the two‑year programme is anticipated to include regulatory, financial and operational reforms aimed at expanding opportunities for SMEs nationwide.
