President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a new set of measures aimed at supporting the development of small and medium enterprises, with implementation scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The announcement was made through a social media post outlining the outcomes of recent high-level government discussions. According to the President, the government will dedicate the next two years to introducing targeted measures for the SME sector, informed by concerns raised directly by business owners.
The renewed focus follows a meeting held on 17 December, where the President met with a large group of local entrepreneurs. During the discussion, business owners highlighted a range of administrative and operational challenges affecting their ability to expand and operate efficiently.
Several decisions were subsequently taken at this week’s Cabinet meeting. While full details are expected to be released by relevant government agencies at a later stage, the President confirmed that implementation will begin in January 2026.
Some measures have already been introduced. Based on recommendations from the discussions with businesses, the demurrage period for imported goods has been extended from 80 hours to 124 hours. In addition, 24-hour customs clearance has been arranged, a change that has already been implemented by Maldives Customs Service.
The initiative adds to existing efforts aimed at improving the operating environment for SMEs. These include the introduction of the Trademark Act and the Intellectual Property Protection Act, as well as a partnership with Alibabathrough the Authentic Maldives programme. Through this platform, around 400 local businesses have gained access to international markets.
The government has also pointed to this year’s national productivity exhibition, which recorded its highest participation to date, as part of a broader approach to expanding both domestic and export opportunities for Maldivian businesses.
