Harbor food courts: Owners share concerns with Mayor, stresses irrevocable damage

Business owners operating food courts in the Malé Harbor area have raised concerns following a notice issued by the State Trading Organization (STO) instructing them to vacate the premises, with the entrepreneurs meeting with Malé City Mayor Adam Azim on Sunday to submit a formal petition concerning the matter.

The meeting was held this afternoon at the Malé City Council office.

STO issued a 90-day notice to the operators, directing them to vacate the units to facilitate further development of the area.

However, the petition submitted by the business owners states that the sudden notice to vacate could result in significant financial losses for businesses that have made substantial investments in their respective units. The entrepreneurs have therefore called for a fair solution to minimize the impact on their livelihoods.

Speaking about the meeting, Mayor Azim said the City Council closely monitors the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and understands the difficulties they are facing. He assured the business owners that the Council would engage with the relevant authorities to seek a favorable resolution and minimize the losses incurred by the businesses.

The formal notice issued by STO last Thursday states that, under Clause 14(a) of the existing agreement, the units must be vacated and handed back to the company within 90 days of receipt of the notice.

STO also stated that the lease agreement, dated October 15, 2022, would be terminated once the units are handed over, with any outstanding payments or financial matters to be communicated to the operators before the notice period expires.

The southwest harbor area of Malé was developed into a centralized hub for cafes, restaurants, and food service businesses operating under one roof.

The area was developed by STO in 2016 at a cost of MVR 32 million under the Housing Ministry’s master plan. It began operations in May 2018 and was officially inaugurated on July 23, 2018.

The area is divided into separate blocks and includes public amenities such as restrooms and hand-washing facilities, along with open-air seating areas, air-conditioned sections, and units specifically designed for small businesses.