State Trading Organisation (STO) has revealed that 320 parties are working as STO agents in atolls to provide staple foods at a uniform price.
STO stated that the main purpose of introducing STO People's Choice Agents is to facilitate easy access to goods from brands imported and sold by STO in all parts of the country and to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the atolls.
Managing Director of STO Hussain Amr said 150 parties have been identified as supermart agents and 170 parties have been identified as construction agents. He said the aim is for STO to have a business that symbolises or represents the STO even though the island does not have STO shops. Promoting small businesses in the provinces is also an important purpose of allocating agents, added Amr.
STO said individuals registered with the Ministry of Economic Development can only be appointed as agents.