President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the "Maldives National Creativity and Innovation Expo 2026" at Central Park in Hulhumalé, marking the commencement of the largest creative trade exhibition in the nation's history. The opening ceremony brought together Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials to celebrate the craftsmanship and ingenuity of artisans across the country. Following the ribbon-cutting, President Muizzu toured the exhibition grounds and visited stalls, specifically prioritising and commending the innovative creations crafted by differently-abled participants.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade alongside the Business Center Corporation (BCC), this year's expo runs under the theme "Future Maldives – Innovation, Creativity and Global Connections." The exhibition will remain open to the public daily from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM through the second of next month, offering a structured marketplace to connect local creators with broader consumer and business networks.
The event achieved an unprecedented milestone with 419 participants showcasing over 4,400 distinct products, reflecting a massive 83.5 percent surge in participation compared to last year's 240 exhibitors and 2,400 products. Individual creators make up nearly three-quarters of the entire showcase, with 321 independent artisans participating alongside 75 registered businesses, 16 differently-abled creators, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, and state-owned enterprises.
Spanning across 16 primary sectors and 73 unique categories, the expo features a diverse range of local craftsmanship led prominently by the handicraft sector with 1,695 items, followed by creative arts and design with 920 products. Attendees can also explore specialised stalls exhibiting culinary arts, jewelry, fashion, literature, fisheries innovations, information and communications technology (ICT), logistics, and renewable energy solutions.
To streamline visitor engagement and commercial exchange, the venue has been organized into seven dedicated zones: the Competitive Exhibition District, Creative Economy District, Digital and Innovative District, Entertainment District, Marketplace District, Visitor Economy District, and the International Exhibitors District. Beyond preserving and celebrating heritage craftsmanship, the comprehensive showcase aims to drive economic diversification by elevating micro, small, and medium enterprises into national and global markets.