The annual Maldives Marine Expo’s fifth edition kicked off on Wednesday in the capital city of Male City.
The three-day exhibit, hosted by the National Boating Association, was inaugurated at the Dharubaaruge Convention Centre by Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail. He was joined by Ahmed Adil, Minister of State for Transport and Civil Aviation.
The expo is a platform for showcasing marine vessels to international audiences from various local builders and companies. It provides opportunities to network with major corporations and businesses for boatbuilders, suppliers and other marine service entities.
The event this year includes 52 stalls of 30 participants.
Following the expo, Vice President Ismail Hameed of the Boating Association mentioned that lack of adequate room is the biggest challenge for such activities in the Maldives.
“The boating industry would wish to display their vessels and equipment at an ideal location. The greatest challenge is that we don’t have an adequate event venue to showcase such equipment except for Dharubaaruge”, he said.
Minister Fayyaz Ismail presented the promise of the current administration to establish a harbor for the top safaris in the liveaboard industry at the inauguration ceremony. He said the development of the harbour was delayed due to the lack of a suitable lagoon for such a project in the capital area.
“…but we hope to choose a lagoon and commence the planning stage for the harbor over the next month”, he assured.
In addition to Dharubaaruge, at the Fishermen’s Park, the Marine Expo also exhibits state-of – the-art vessels The economic minister also inaugurated the exhibit at the park.
The exhibition was arranged by the Boating Association in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology, and Male’s City Council.
