Muizzu Meets Small Businesses, Pledges Solutions to Ease Obstacles

MALÉ, Maldives — President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu spent three hours last night in a rare, extended meeting with small and medium business owners, listening as they laid out grievances ranging from bureaucratic delays to uneven access to government projects.

The gathering, held at the Social Centre, drew a large number of entrepreneurs who were invited to speak without restraint. President Muizzu, notebook in hand, urged them to share complaints, ideas and proposals directly with him, promising that their input would be “very valuable.”

Businessmen spoke candidly about obstacles they face, including slow government responses and difficulties in securing working capital. One participant said subsidies were unnecessary if companies could access funds within 15 days, adding that what was needed most was a fair system for distributing projects.

President Muizzu assured the group that his administration’s policy is to promote businesses and pledged to address their concerns within the legal framework. He said solutions could come through changes in laws and regulations and emphasized that the government’s role was to facilitate the growth of enterprises.

“The government is working to shape policies to promote small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs at all levels,” he said.

The president’s remarks echoed his broader message that the administration intends to ease the path for businesses, particularly smaller firms that often struggle to navigate government systems. He told participants, “I can assure you that I will not let your hopes be wasted. I will try to find solutions.”

The meeting was part of a series of sessions President Muizzu has held with citizen groups, signalling an effort to position his government as responsive to everyday concerns while reinforcing its commitment to economic development.