Minister of Legal Affairs at President's Office Azima Shukoor has stated that the total debt owed by Villa Group to the State amounts to 13.3% of the total State income estimated for 2018.
Speaking on PSM News, the Legal Affairs Minister said that since 2007, various companies and resorts owned by Villa Group has evaded payments to the State that gross up to USD 188 million, since 2007.Minister Azima Shukoor reaffirmed the commitment of the administration in taking actions against companies which does not abide by laws and regulations.
Refuting claims that the actions of the government are politically motivated, Azima Shukoor assured that Maldives Customs Service, Ministry of Tourism and Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) are taking legal actions against Villa Group within the limits of laws and regulations.
A statement issued by Ministry of Tourism said that companies associated and owned by Villa Group have breached various laws and regulations. In this regard, the Tourism Ministry revealed that cases on the illegal import of alcohol beverages by the Villa Group to Maldives have been filed at the Ministry.
In addition, MIRA has also filed cases of delinquency in paying tax from resorts and islands leased to companies associated and administered by Villa Group. 4 resorts operated by Villa Group have failed to pay tax throughout 2017, which amounts to USD 5.1 million, as per information provided by the state tax administration authority. MIRA revealed that Villa Group owes a total of about USD 18.9 million to the authority.