Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said that regular meetings with small businesses will be held to identify challenges faced by entrepreneurs and improve the services provided to the business community.

Speaking at the Authentic Maldives 6th Anniversary Gala Night, the minister said direct engagement with business owners is essential to understanding their concerns and formulating effective solutions. He noted that such consultations would play a key role in strengthening support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The minister said the Government plans to provide relief measures for small businesses in 2026 and 2027, adding that meetings with small business owners will be organised in line with a decision taken by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

During the anniversary event, the Best Seller Award for 2025 was presented to 10 individuals in recognition of their performance on the Authentic Maldives platform.

Authentic Maldives was established on January 9, 2020, with the aim of promoting and marketing locally made Maldivian products. The platform has since grown into a recognised hub connecting local artisans and small businesses with markets both within the Maldives and overseas.

The initiative gained international exposure in 2025 when registered suppliers were enabled to sell their products through Alibaba, one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms. As of the end of 2025, a total of 407 businesses were registered as suppliers with Authentic Maldives, including 49 new registrations during the year.

According to figures, payments issued to Authentic Maldives suppliers amounted to MVR 26.4 million in 2024, increasing to MVR 31.1 million in 2025, reflecting growing sales and participation on the platform.