The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has ordered the closure of 37 businesses as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal expatriate-run enterprises, reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling unauthorised commercial activity.
The enforcement campaign is being carried out by the National Taskforce on Combating Illegal Expatriate Operations and Businesses, comprising officials from the economic and homeland security sectors, the Maldives Police Service and immigration authorities.
According to the ministry, enforcement activity has increased significantly in recent weeks. Between late November and mid-December, authorities received 252 public reports and conducted inspections at 98 business establishments. The majority of closures resulted from violations of economic regulations, while a smaller number involved breaches of other applicable laws. Eight businesses were later allowed to resume operations after rectifying identified non-compliance.
The ministry said the campaign targets two main forms of malpractice: the use of Maldivian citizens as proxy owners to bypass legal ownership restrictions, and expatriates operating businesses within 34 sectors reserved exclusively for Maldivian nationals.
Investigative agencies are working closely with ministry officials to identify concealed business arrangements that contravene the Foreign Investment Act. Officials also emphasised the importance of public cooperation, urging citizens to report suspected illegal activities through dedicated hotlines, the ministry’s website or the Immigration Watch platform.
The ministry acknowledged the crucial role played by the public in helping authorities identify unlawful operations and enforce compliance across the country.