Economic Ministry confirms 37 closures after inspecting nearly 100 illegal businesses

The Ministry of Economic Development has inspected nearly a hundred businesses suspected of operating illegally, and confirmed that 37 have been shut down as part of its ongoing crackdown.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry said it received 252 complaints between November 29 and December 16. During this two-week period, 98 businesses were inspected.

Of the 37 closures:

• 25 businesses were shut down for violating laws under the ministry’s jurisdiction

• 12 were closed for breaching other legal provisions

• 8 businesses were later allowed to reopen

The ministry did not disclose further details about the nature of the violations or the sectors involved.

ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފަށް ބިދޭސީން ވިޔަފާރިކުރާ ތަންތަން ބަލައިފާސްކުރުމަށް ޓާސްކްފޯސްއިން ހިންގަމުންދާ އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި އިއްޔެ ވަނީ މާލޭގައި ހިންގަމުންދިޔަ 09 ތަނެއް ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. އަދި މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އިކޮނޮމިކް ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އެންޑް ޓްރޭޑްއިން ވަނީ 02 ތަނެއްގައި ހިންގަމުންދިއަ… pic.twitter.com/j0XQuiOpwP

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) December 15, 2025

Authorities have set up an anonymous reporting system on the ministry’s website to collect information about illegal business operations, particularly those involving foreign nationals. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by the National Taskforce on Combating Illegal Expatriate Operations and Businesses, which includes Immigration, Police, and other enforcement agencies.

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed had previously announced on November 27 that enforcement efforts would be intensified starting the following week. The ministry has since reiterated its commitment to act swiftly on verified complaints.

This crackdown follows growing concerns about foreigners operating businesses in sectors prohibited under the Foreign Investment Act, often by using Maldivians as legal fronts.