Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has said that a skilled and capable workforce remains a key national asset in sustaining economic growth.

In a message marking International Workers' Day, the Minister stressed that developing skills, fostering innovation and encouraging workforce participation are essential to strengthening economic resilience.

He noted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Administration is continuing to implement major development projects while advancing key sectors of the economy. He added that ongoing initiatives are also addressing long-standing challenges faced by small and medium enterprises, helping to lay a stronger foundation for future growth.

The Minister further stated that the Government has been engaging directly with workers nationwide, listening to concerns and working to resolve key issues. He also pointed to reforms under the Foreign Investment Act introduced in 2024, which reserve certain business opportunities for Maldivians, noting that this would strengthen local participation in the economy.

Looking ahead, the Minister highlighted new opportunities created for local entrepreneurs in 2025, including the hosting of the country’s largest entrepreneurship expo and expanded access to international e-commerce platforms such as alibaba.com. He noted that more than 400 Maldivian businesses have been onboarded under the Authentic Maldives initiative.

He added that the Government is pursuing broader economic diversification efforts, including the introduction of Special Economic Zones and the development of sustainable townships, alongside continued expansion of the digital economy and maritime sector.

Efforts to strengthen the digital payments ecosystem are also ongoing, with services such as Alipay and RuPay already facilitated, while preparations are underway to introduce PayPal in the near future. The Minister also highlighted progress under the Government’s Maldives 2.0 initiative.

Concluding his message, the Minister extended International Workers’ Day greetings to Maldivian workers across all sectors, acknowledging their contribution to national development.