20 businesses fined for violations

Ministry of Economic Affairs has said that 20 businesses have been fined the first five months of 2016 for violations.

Speaking during a press conference held by Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Police and Immigration on Thursday, the ministry’s Company Registrar Mariyam Wisam said that 750 businesses were inspected within the first five months of this year, and 20 of them in Male’ area have been fined an average MVR 10,000.

Wisam speaking during press conference on June 9, 2016. Sun photo: Yoosuf Sofwan

Businesses fined includes businesses that are not shut down within the given time, conducting business transactions without permit, and employing expatriates as cashiers.

“We will collaborate and run such inspections in the future as well,” said Wisam.

She noted that expatriate photographers and businessmen were still operating in Maldives even as they conduct their inspection.

Answering a question posed by a reporter from “Sun”, Head of Immigration Monitoring

Division, Mohamed Waheed said that 56 expatriates working as cashiers had been deported.

And that the authority had increased the efficiency of the administrative process involved in deporting such expatriates.

Waheed speaking during press conference on June 9, 2016. Sun photo: Yoosuf Sofwan

He said that the efficiency had borne fruit. And more Maldivians were being employed in businesses.

Executive Coordinator of Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Abdulla Shareef said that products displayed on streets outside shops in market area were confiscated and then destroyed.