'Addu Business Dialogue' to be held this month regarding business opportunities in Addu

The government has announced a special forum, “Addu Business Dialogue”, aimed at providing comprehensive information on commercial and investment opportunities in Addu City.

Scheduled to be held on May 13th and 14^th, the forum marks the first economic event of its kind in the Maldives to be specifically focused on a particular region of the country.

Speaking about the initiative, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that the forum is intended to engage directly with industry stakeholders, share information on business opportunities and available incentives, and gather feedback from the business community.

“To kick off this initiative, we have decided to hold a forum on May 13th and 14th specifically for the entrepreneurs of Addu. I extend an invitation to all interested parties to participate,” the Minister said.

The dialogue will bring together business owners, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. Given Addu City’s significant growth potential in sectors such as tourism, fisheries, logistics, and technology, several government institutions are expected to participate in the event, including Home Ministry, Fisheries Ministry, Tourism Ministry and Finance Ministry.

In this year’s Presidential Address, Mohamed Muizzu announced that the government had decided to introduce special concessions and incentives for businesses operating in Addu City from 2027 to 2029.

The President stated that the measures are expected to strengthen the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector and support the transformation of Addu into the country’s primary IT hub.

“By the grace of God, this will significantly expand and advance the SME sector, create numerous jobs, and bring substantial economic benefits to Addu Atoll and the entire Maldives. I invite all interested parties to seize this opportunity and work towards making Addu Atoll the IT Hub of the Maldives,” the President said.

The forum forms a key part of the government’s broader strategy to empower SMEs and stimulate economic activity in the southern region. It also marks the beginning of a planned series of regional economic forums aimed at driving development across various parts of the country.

With strong interest already expressed by local entrepreneurs, the government views the initiative as an important platform for direct consultation and for identifying potential investment opportunities.