This year's products expo will be different in every way, says Minister Saeed

The Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has said that this year's products expo will be different in every way, and that it will be the largest expo ever held in the history of the Maldives. The minister made the remarks while speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office. The products expo, 'Dhivehi Products Expo 2026', is being organised jointly by the Business Center Corporation (BCC) and the Ministry of Economic Development. The expo is scheduled to be held from the 25th of this month until the 2nd of next month. Speaking at the press conference, Minister Saeed said that a products expo was also held last year, but that compared with last year, this year's expo will be different in every way. The minister said that compared with last year, the number of participants in this year's expo has increased by 225 percent. While 240 exhibitors took part in last year's expo, 780 exhibitors are set to take part in this year's expo and display their products, he said. The minister also noted that the number of products or items exhibited at this year's expo has doubled. While 2,400 items were included in last year's expo, that number rises to 4,800 at this year's expo. This year's expo will feature seven districts, with two additional districts included. Among these are the newly added Visitor Economy District and the International District. "This time there are 10 islands taking part in the Visitor Economy. These things are also going ahead very competitively. In addition, 15 Chinese businesses are included in the International District. They will introduce to small businesses different innovations as well. Furthermore, 15 parties from India are taking part, and efforts are also under way to have some parties from the UAE participate," Minister Saeed said. The minister said that while last year's expo was held for 10 days, more than 80,000 people visited each day. Noting that the hope is for that number to double this year, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed said the expo will become the largest expo ever held in the history of the Maldives. The report was written by Yazeed Rasheed.