Opposition Criticises Gov’t Over State-Run Eyewear Initiative
Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer | Photo: MDP
Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has criticised the government’s decision to launch a state-run eyewear service, accusing the administration of waging an economic war on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ @MMuizzu ނުކުމެ ރާއްޖޭގެ ވިޔަފާރިވެރިންނާ ޖައްސާލުމަކީ ކަންބޮޑުވާންޖެހޭ ކަމެއް. މިއަދު ރާއްޖޭގެ އިގްތިސާދީ/މާލީ ސިޔާސަތު ފެއިލްވެ ފާލުން ނެއްޓި، އިގްތިސާދަށް ދިމާވެފައިވާ ގޮންޖެހުންތަކަށް ހައްލެއް ހޯދައިދިނުމުގެ ގާބިލްކަމެއް މިސަރުކާރުގަ ނެތުމުން، ސަރުކާރުން…
— Ibrahim Ameer 🇵🇸 (@iameeru) June 1, 2025advertisement
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His remarks came a day after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced plans to introduce the new service at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
President Muizzu revealed the initiative during an interview with Public Service Media (PSM) on Saturday, stating that the move is intended to protect consumers from exploitation by private businesses, particularly in light of the recent increase in the Aasandha allowance for eyeglasses from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000.
In response, Ameer alleged that the government’s economic and financial strategies have failed and are instead harming local businesses. He claimed the administration is unable to address ongoing economic challenges and is now resorting to policies that undermine the private sector.
He further alleged that the government is delaying payments worth billions of Rufiyaa to businesses, pushing many towards bankruptcy. Ameer also raised concerns about limited access to loans for businesses and a worsening dollar shortage, which he said is inflating prices in the black market.
According to Ameer, the government’s direct contribution to national productivity in 2024 amounted to just 8.6 percent, equivalent to MVR 808 million of a total MVR 101 billion. He highlighted that the remaining 91.4 percent was driven by the private sector and warned that government encroachment into SME domains could have a destructive impact.
He also criticised the administration for excessive public spending and a growing number of political appointments, which he argued are damaging the economy and curbing overall productivity.
Meanwhile, President Muizzu defended the decision to introduce the eyewear service, stating it was prompted by public demand and a desire to curb unfair practices in the market. He said that some private businesses were taking advantage of the higher Aasandha limit by continuing to sell low-quality products at inflated prices.
The president noted that the government is not concerned about opposition from private providers, as the goal is to eliminate exploitative business practices across the country.
