Maldives Ministry Warns Businesses: Selling Goods Without Marked Prices Will Trigger Legal Action

The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade has warned that legal action will be taken against businesses that sell goods kept for sale without prices marked on them. In an announcement published in the Gazette, the ministry said it has received complaints that prices are not marked on a large number of goods kept for sale in business places in a manner that buyers can clearly know them. Under the Consumer Protection Act, it is prohibited to keep any goods for sale in a way that does not clearly inform the buyer of the price of the goods being sold. The ministry said that, as explained in the Consumer Protection Act, goods are deemed to have prices marked only when the price of the goods is written, printed or fixed directly on the goods, or when the price is written or fixed at the place where the goods are kept and it is clear to which goods the price belongs. The Economic Ministry therefore appealed to all parties selling goods to keep goods placed for sale with prices clearly visible, in accordance with the provisions stated in the law. The ministry said that, in order to see whether parties selling goods comply with the standards stated in the Consumer Protection Act, it will inspect and monitor under that law and take legal action against those who conduct business without marking prices in violation of the law.