More than 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses from various districts are expected to participate in this year’s Maldives Expo, according to Business Centre Corporation (BCC) Managing Director Ibrahim Ziyau.
Ziyau said the expo, which began 80 years ago on a much smaller scale to promote businesses in the Maldives, has now grown into a much larger event. While 308 businesses took part in the competitive section of last year’s expo, that number has increased to 780 this year. Last year, 3,600 products were submitted, while more than 6,000 products have already been registered for this year’s Maldives Expo, which begins this month.
Ziyau said the biggest change introduced at this year’s expo is a move away from displaying products solely under the names of the businesses that produce them. Instead, products will be showcased separately, allowing the producers behind them to be identified and promoted.
The biggest additions to this year’s expo will be the newly introduced Visitor Economy District and International Exhibitors District. Speaking about the opportunity for international participants, Ziyau said the main objective is to promote local tourism in the Maldives and connect local businesses with overseas markets.
The Visitor Economy District will provide an opportunity to promote islands that offer local tourism services, as well as the services available there. This is an opportunity that was not available in the tourism sector at last year’s expo.
Meanwhile, the purpose of the International Exhibitors District will be to provide opportunities for new business ideas and connect Maldivian businesses with overseas markets, Ziyau said.
This year’s Maldives Expo will feature seven districts. More than 1,000 businesses are expected to showcase their products at the expo, including those participating in the competitive section.
The expo will run for nine days, from 25 October until 2 November.