29 Locations Flagged for Suspected Illegal Foreign-Run Businesses
Maldives Immigration officers on, 3 November 2025, in areas suspected of hosting businesses operated by foreigners | Photo: Maldives Immigration
Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, said the ministry has received 29 reports of locations suspected of operating businesses illegally in the Maldives.
In a post on X, Minister Saeed said the reports were submitted within 41 hours of the ministry’s public call urging individuals to share information about foreigners conducting business without the required authorisation. He said the presidential task force established to address the issue will begin operations today, adding that teams will inspect the reported locations and take action in accordance with the law.
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He thanked the public for their cooperation.
ރާއްޖޭގައި ބިދޭސީން ޤަވާޢިދާ ޚިލާފަށް ހިންގާ ވިޔަފާރިތައް ރިޕޯޓުކުރުމަށް އިއްޔެ އިޢުލާނު ކުރިތާ ފުރަތަމަ 41 ގަޑިއިރު ތެރޭ، ބިދޭސީން ޤަވާޢިދާ ޚިލާފަށް ހިންގާ ކަމަށް ފާހަގަ ކުރެވޭކަމަށް ވިދާޅުވެ، 29 ވިޔަފާރިއެއްގެ ރިޕޯޓު ޢާއްމު އެކި ފަރާތްތަކުން ކުރައްވާފައިވޭ.
މިއަދު…— Mohamed Saeed (@em_saeed) November 29, 2025
The ministry issued a public announcement on Thursday calling for reports on foreigners involved in illegal business activities. It said it continues to receive a high volume of complaints involving foreign nationals operating without licences or engaging in activities reserved for Maldivians under existing laws.
According to the announcement, the most common violations include foreigners using Maldivians as fronts to obtain permits while maintaining control of the business, and foreign nationals operating in restricted sectors under the Foreign Investment Act 11/2024 without the necessary approvals.
