The government has acknowledged the operational hurdles faced by the business community in Addu, committing to systemic solutions aimed at revitalising the southern region's economy, Mohamed Saeed, the Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, said. Speaking at the conclusion of the Addu Business Dialogue, Minister Saeed assured local entrepreneurs that their grievances have been registered and that state-backed interventions are forthcoming.
The event, held from 13 to 14 May at Hithadhoo School, was organised by the ministry and the Business Center Corporation, drawing regional business owners and officials to address commercial anxieties. These discussions established a framework for a directive from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, which mandates targeted economic incentives between 2027 and 2029.
The symposium transitioned from a diagnostic of operational bottlenecks toward strategic problem-solving, focusing on the regulatory and financial relief necessary to restore commercial vitality. Minister Saeed highlighted that the administration is prepared to amend laws to ensure these reforms are realised.
Addressing attendees, he underscored a pledge to provide robust representation for the southern sector. "Your voices, along with the collective voice of this region, have been clearly articulated," Saeed stated. He noted that the state would align these concerns with the vision of the President.
"Your voices will be thoroughly represented and amplified within the government. It is for this exact reason, acting on the direct instructions of the President, that we travelled specifically to Addu to listen firsthand," he added.