The Maldives has held its first national awards programme dedicated to micro, small, and medium enterprises, marking a significant step in recognising the country’s growing entrepreneurial community. The event was organised by the Business Center Corporation under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and featured 22 categories, with winners selected through a combination of panel evaluations and public voting.
The ceremony took place at the Maldives Center for Social Education and brought together senior government officials, including Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed and Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer. Minister Zameer presented the top honours, awarding Nody’s Coffee as Micro MSME of the Year, Loop Craft Pvt. Ltd. as Small MSME of the Year, and Oevaali Art Shop as Medium MSME of the Year.
The judging panel also recognised several other businesses. Sinetech Pvt. Ltd. received Start-Up of the Year, Fahi Govaan was named Green MSME of the Year, Encreare Pvt. Ltd. won Creative MSME of the Year, and Maya Nasih was awarded Woman-Led MSME of the Year. Additional acknowledgements went to Pinet Works Pvt. Ltd., The Gift Basket Maldives, Javaabu Pvt. Ltd., and For the Soul by Himoo.
Public voting accounted for 11 of the awards, celebrating businesses such as Detune Band, The Crystal Company, Meraki, Maldives Music and Arts Center, Lights Out, Mekra Mama, Legacy Fitness, Fatima, Tropical Designs, Thakethi, and Loop Crafts.
In total, 21 enterprises were honoured at the inaugural event. The Business Center Corporation stated that the awards will now become an annual programme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting and elevating the role of small businesses in the Maldivian economy.
