Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed announced that hundreds of Maldivian entrepreneurs registered for the Alibaba.com e-commerce workshop within the first 24 hours of opening.

With over 260 entrepreneurs registered for the workshop, registration will remain open until 13 September.

The workshop is scheduled for 16 September at Barceló Nasandhura Malé and will be conducted in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual sessions. This setup ensures nationwide accessibility, allowing entrepreneurs based in the atolls to participate remotely.

Participants will be introduced to strategies for expanding their businesses internationally through the Alibaba.com platform. Training will focus on practical skills such as creating global storefronts, attracting overseas customers, and generating international sales. The Ministry highlighted that the programme is designed to support a wide range of enterprises, from traditional crafts and jewellery to digital services.

Emphasising the initiative’s significance, the Ministry described the workshop as an opportunity for Maldivian businesses to reach markets beyond the Maldives and tap into a potential customer base of over one billion people. To encourage active participation, attendees are advised to bring laptops and engage in hands-on exercises aimed at preparing their enterprises for global expansion.

Minister of State for Economic Development and Trade, Abdullah Shiyaz, welcomed the initiative as a major step forward, noting that enabling Maldivian enterprises to list on Alibaba.com represents a milestone in the nation’s economic progress. He stressed that the opportunity to showcase Maldivian products on a global stage is a significant achievement for the country.

The Ministry further underlined that this effort forms part of the Government’s broader engagement with leading e-commerce platforms. Officials reiterated the Administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, in line with the President’s pledge to expand access to international online markets.