Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said that Maldives Expo 2026 successfully achieved its objectives, describing the nationwide exhibition as an important platform for promoting local production, encouraging entrepreneurship and expanding business opportunities across the Maldives.
Speaking in a special interview with PSM News following the conclusion of the Expo, Minister Saeed said the success of the event was clearly reflected in the strong public response, the diversity of participating businesses and the experiences shared by exhibitors from across the country. Held under the leadership and guidance of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Expo was organised as part of the Government’s efforts to strengthen domestic production, support Maldivian entrepreneurs and create wider market opportunities for locally produced goods and services.
Maldives Expo 2026 was the largest exhibition of its kind organised in the country, bringing together producers, entrepreneurs, innovators and service providers from atolls across the Maldives. The event offered visitors an opportunity to discover the scale of creativity and enterprise developing within local communities, with participants presenting a diverse collection of products, business concepts and services reflecting Maldivian skills, traditions and innovation.
Minister Saeed highlighted that one of the most significant outcomes of the Expo was the confidence it created among aspiring entrepreneurs. According to the Minister, several participants who had never previously entered the business sector were now considering establishing their own enterprises after gaining exposure and opportunities through the exhibition. Existing businesses also used the Expo to explore expansion opportunities, build their customer base and introduce their products to a much broader audience.
The Minister noted that one of the strongest messages received from exhibitors was the need for greater and more sustainable access to markets. While Maldivian businesses are producing a growing variety of products and services, expanding the channels through which these products can reach consumers remains essential to supporting their long-term growth. The Expo therefore provided more than a temporary exhibition space, serving as a valuable connection point between producers, customers and potential business opportunities.
Reflecting on the public response, Minister Saeed said the many requests received to extend the duration of the Expo demonstrated the level of interest generated by the event. He said the positive response showed that initiatives of this nature should continue, even though large exhibitions can only be organised for limited periods.
“If something can be taken away from this Expo, it is that the Expo has been a great success. We received many requests to extend its duration and allow more days for this initiative. This means we should not stop here. However, such an event can only be held for a certain period. All of this demonstrates its success,” Minister Saeed said.
The success of Maldives Expo 2026 also reflects the Government’s broader economic policy of creating new opportunities for Maldivian businesses and strengthening sectors that can contribute more significantly to national economic growth. Minister Saeed said expanding market access for locally produced goods and developing the creative economy remain important priorities of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Administration. The Government aims to increase the contribution of the creative economy to 15 per cent of the Maldives’ gross domestic product by 2030.
Held from 25 October to 2 November, Maldives Expo 2026 welcomed visitors every evening and night and became one of the most widely attended exhibitions organised in the Maldives in recent history. The exhibition featured an extensive selection of locally produced food items, traditional craftsmanship, creative products and services offered by Maldivian businesses, allowing visitors to experience the diversity of locally developed products available across the country.
The Expo also gave greater visibility to Maldivian cultural heritage and traditional skills while demonstrating how these areas can be developed into sustainable commercial opportunities. Through its numerous stalls, visitors were able to interact directly with producers, learn about their products and discover businesses from different regions of the Maldives that may otherwise have had limited exposure in the national market.
With strong participation from across the atolls and significant public interest throughout its duration, Maldives Expo 2026 has reinforced the growing potential of Maldivian entrepreneurship and local production. The event has also strengthened the Government’s efforts to encourage more Maldivians to enter business, expand existing enterprises and build a more diversified and resilient domestic economy.
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