The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has moved to ease regulatory costs for food service operators by cutting registration and category fees by 50 percent, a change that will remain in effect for the next two years.
The fee reduction applies to charges levied under the food service regulation, which governs the registration and licensing of food service establishments and individuals. Under the revised structure, the one-time registration fee for all food service establishments has been reduced from MVR 500 to MVR 250.
Annual category fees, which previously varied between MVR 500 and MVR 2,000 depending on the type of establishment, have also been halved. Establishments registered with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, including tea houses, cafés, restaurants and canteens, will now pay MVR 1,000 annually, with additional charges of MVR 50 for each extra kitchen or serving area and MVR 50 for every additional 50 seats.
Catering services, bakeries and pastry shops will be charged MVR 500, while takeaway outlets preparing and selling rice parcels, commercial kitchens, snack shops and juice outlets will each pay MVR 1,000. Street food vendors, carts and food vehicles will now be subject to an annual fee of MVR 250.
The MFDA said the reduced fees are being introduced under a transitional policy for the registration and licensing of food service establishments, with the revised rates remaining in place for a period of two years.
