Cargo clearance to expand to 24 hours; demurrage-free period to 124 hours

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the decision to transition cargo clearance to a 24-hour service, and to extend the demurrage-free period to 124 hours.

President Muizzu held a public meeting in Male’ on Wednesday night with representatives from the local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). During the meeting, many business operators raised several challenges, including delays in government payments, the need for tax flexibility during such delays, a shortage of affordable storage space, and bottlenecks at the Male’ Commercial Port.

Responding to these concerns, President Muizzu announced that cargo clearance services at the Male’ Commercial Port for both sea and air freight will move from an 18-hour to a 24-hour operation.

Meanwhile, the demurrage-free period will be extended from 80 to 124 hours, he said.

President Muizzu also said that arrangements would be made to allow businesses to use private vehicles for cargo collection, and assured that the government would seek solutions for certain fees currently payable in Rufiyaa.

Responding to complaints regarding storage issues, President Muizzu said that land would be leased from Hulhumale’ for warehouse use at affordable rates.

And regarding outstanding government payments, President said efforts would be made to settle as many payments as possible by the end of the month, with the aim of clearing all dues before the beginning of Ramadan.

Concluding the session, President Muizzu reaffirmed his commitment to finding practical solutions economic growth.