MP Shamheed accuses govt of systematically destroying small business

The incumbent People’s National Congress (PNC) administration has destroyed the greatest number of small businesses in the country’s history, alleged South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed on Tuesday, adding that the government was carrying this out in a systematic manner.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu previously promised to clear all outstanding payments to businesses for government contracts ahead of Ramadan.

During a parliamentary debate on Tuesday on amendments proposed by the government to facilitate greater opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Shamheed, a parliamentarian from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), criticized the PNC administration.

He accused the government of intervening into all private sectors, without exception.

“This administration is one that has destroyed the greatest number of small businesses in this country’s history. No Maldivian citizen would dispute this. This is something the administration is carrying out systematically,” he said.

“Whether a fisherman or a bricklayer, an optician, a taxi driver, or now, even the driver of a supply boat.”

Shamheed also criticized the move by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) to sell furniture and fittings for people who move in to the thousands of flats developed under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme.

The cabinets in Hullhumale’ homes, which local businesses had building for all this time, are now being outsourced to China, he alleged.

Shamheed said that projects to build outdoor gyms in islands, previously contracted to small local businesses, are now awarded to large State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) with completely different mandates, such as the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

“They need to stop causing this damage to small Maldivian companies after coming to power by claiming to be ‘pro-Maldives’,” he said.

Shamheed expressed concern that the government owes billions of Rufiyaa in outstanding payments to businesses.

While the government has remained tight-lipped about the exact amount it owes to private businesses, Shamheed estimates the number stands around MVR 15 billion.

He alleged that the government has not been able to find a way to settle the payments.