The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade has announced the ‘Addu Business Dialogue’ is a strategic initiative designed to deliver reforms and address challenges facing commercial operators within Addu City and Addu Atoll. The two-day forum, scheduled for 13-14 May, aims to increase the involvement of small- and medium-sized enterprises in shaping their economic future.
The dialogue serves as a collaborative platform for business owners and stakeholders to identify obstacles to growth across Addu City, including the islands of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo in Addu Atoll. Appearing on the Public Service Media programme ‘Raajje Miadhu’, Abdulla Shiyaz, the State Minister of the Economic Development Ministry, noted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided to accelerate development by granting exclusive, specialised benefits to businesses in Addu for three years. The administration also intends to transform the region into an information technology hub.
While previous administrations have attempted to mitigate business sector challenges, State Minister Shiyaz highlighted that such targeted, regional efforts are unprecedented. "Under this programme, participants are granted the opportunity to present their desired vision directly to government policymakers,” Shiyaz stated, adding that resulting strategies would be grounded in mutually agreed-upon solutions.
The forum will feature participation from tourism, construction, and fisheries, alongside officials from the ministries of homeland security, fisheries, tourism, and finance. Engineered to produce concrete results, the dialogue will culminate in a formal policy paper for submission to President Muizzu and the Cabinet for executive review.