The inaugural edition of the International Trade Expo, ITE Maldives 2022, Buyer-Seller Meet Mart successfully concluded in Male.

ITE Maldives 2022 - Buyer Seller Meet Mart, a Business-to-Business meeting platform was jointly organised by Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions, Sri Lanka, and Ace Travels Maldives (Pvt) Ltd under the patronage of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the Maldives with the participation of around 20 Sri Lankan companies, representing Construction Material Suppliers, Spices & Herbal manufacturers, Interior designers, Apparel & Fashion, Agriculture, and other service providers, showcasing their products and services to the Maldivian business community.

The opening ceremony was held on Monday, 19 September with the participation of the Minister of Tourism of Maldives Dr. Abdulla Mausoom as the Chief Guest. The High Commissioners of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Ambassador of Japan, as well as the UNDP Resident Representative in Maldives were among the distinguished invitees present at the inauguration ceremony, along with representatives of participating companies from Sri Lanka and Maldivian companies.

The 3-day event from 19 to 21 September 2022, included a Buyer-Seller Meet Mart in the form of B2B meetings on the first two days at the Manhattan Business Hotel, Male, during which Sri Lankan companies were able to meet and establish business contacts with Maldivian firms.

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Maldives, A.M.J Sadiq, during his speech at the inauguration ceremony commended Aitken Spence Conventions and Exhibitions Sri Lanka and Ace Travels Maldives, both part of the leading Sri Lankan diversified conglomerate, Aitken Spence, for organising this event. High Commissioner A.M.J Sadiq noted that this was a great initiative to bring together companies from both countries to meet and explore the full potential for bilateral economic cooperation.

The High Commissioner further stated that in order to promote greater economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Maldives, the Mission has been engaged with the authorities in Sri Lanka to fast-track negotiations on the Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty and to take urgent steps to initiate talks with Maldives on the Agreement on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.

He noted that when the legal framework and the government regulations to facilitate trade and investment flows are in place, it would provide the confidence and encouragement for companies and potential investors to expand their business operations between the two countries.

The final day of ITE Maldives 2022 entailed a field visit for the participating Sri Lankan companies to Hulhumale to explore business and investment opportunities in the fast-developing artificial island adjacent to the Velana International Airport.

The Sri Lankan companies expressed their satisfaction over the excellent arrangements made by the organisers in conducting this inaugural Buyer-Seller Meet in Maldives.