In response to mounting frustration among the Maldives’ small business community, the government has pledged to open a new chapter of engagement — promising regular dialogue sessions with small and medium-sized enterprises, aimed at restoring confidence and addressing concerns over substantial unpaid bills.

At the prestigious sixth annual Authentic Maldives ceremony, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed set out the ministry’s new approach, emphasising that only through direct, ongoing conversations with entrepreneurs can the government hope to truly understand — and effectively resolve — the issues impacting business growth and sustainability.

This announcement comes at a critical moment for the Maldivian SME sector, which has raised increasingly vocal concerns about overdue government payments. Many business owners, during a recent meeting with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, revealed that they have waited more than a year for payment on completed projects — with outstanding invoices running into millions of rufiyaa. For some, these delays have pushed them to the brink of financial distress.

In a bid to ease the strain, business owners have proposed offsetting outstanding government payments against their tax liabilities — a solution now under government consideration. President Muizzu has assured entrepreneurs that all pending dues will be settled before the arrival of next Ramadan.

Beyond financial grievances, SMEs have also highlighted the broader impact of government arrears, noting that persistent delays are undermining their ability to operate and invest with confidence. The president has publicly acknowledged these challenges, pledging that supporting small businesses and resolving debts will stand among his administration’s top priorities this year.

With regular dialogue sessions now on the agenda, the government appears poised to reset its relationship with the SME sector — offering hope that sustained engagement will translate into meaningful reform and renewed trust across the Maldivian business landscape.