Presidential Address 2026 resembled an annual report delivered by a company head to board members at Dhimyaath, rather than a statement from a president: ex-Minister Ameer
Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has strongly criticized the Presidential Address, asserting that the government's direct involvement in commercial activities poses a significant threat to private businesses. Ameer emphasized that while the state's primary responsibility is to regulate industries and foster a conducive business environment, the policy of the government developing and operating its own resorts would be detrimental to the economy. He warned that such decisions would ultimately have a negative impact on the Maldives' overall business landscape.
Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer (L) | President's Office | President's Office
Former Minister Ibrahim Ameer has sharply criticized President Muizzu's Presidential Address, stating that it resembled an annual report delivered by a corporate head to board members at Dhimyaath rather than a statement from a head of state.
In a post on X on Thursday, Ameer stated that the presidential address delivered to a "puppet parliament" revealed that Maldivian private businesses will face further challenges in the coming years.
Ameer noted that the presidential address indicates the government intends to expand its involvement in the business sector more extensively than before.
"The Maldives' tourism industry has become the world's most popular destination precisely because of the lack of direct government involvement in the sector. The government's entire focus is now on directly entering all businesses. This is a dangerous policy that will lead to significant losses," Ameer said.
In his extensive three-hour presidential address delivered to Parliament on Thursday, President Mohamed Muizzu announced that a state-owned enterprise is set to develop 10 islands as resorts over the next three years. This move signals a significant expansion of the government's role into the Maldives' most vital industry, which has historically been developed and driven by the private sector.
