Officials hit the streets to stop afterhours business transactions

A team from Ministry of Economic Affairs has been dispatched to stop afterhours business transactions in the capital.

Ministry of Economic Affairs noted the rise in reports of businesses being run past permitted business hours – which is 10 pm for shops and midnight for restaurants and cafes.

There is also an uptick in number of businesses which advertise food deliveries afterhours via social media.

Registrar of Companies, Mariyam Visaam spoke to “Sun” this Sunday and said that Ministry of Economic Affairs was conducting inspections due to rise in such reports, warning fines and police interference if it isn’t stopped.

Visaam said that inspections would be carried out by Ministry officials during day and night.

Businesses that are open afterhours will be fined MVR 2,000 for the first offense, and will have their license cancelled if the offense is repeated.

Visaam said that businesses which do not have business permits are being fined MVR 10,000.

Ministry of Economic Affairs asked for support from the general public in order to ensure that businesses comply with the law.