President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a major breakthrough for Maldivian small businesses, confirming that vendors registered under the Authentic Maldives programme are now authorised to sell their products on Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms.
The decision was revealed during a consultation meeting with local entrepreneurs, where the President addressed persistent concerns surrounding foreign currency access and international payment barriers. He noted that more than 400 Maldivian vendors already listed on Alibaba.com will now be able to trade internationally, provided they remain under the Authentic Maldives brand umbrella.
Officials said the move represents a strategic shift in the government’s efforts to grow the creative industry, expand export opportunities, and simplify the logistical hurdles typically faced by Maldivian producers entering foreign markets.
President Muizzu also highlighted progress in talks with PayPal, stating that the global payment service could become available for Maldivians as early as January. Entrepreneurs have long called for PayPal access, citing difficulties in receiving international payments for digital services and online commerce.
In a further boost to the digital economy, the President announced that the Bank of Maldives is preparing to roll out a new homegrown digital wallet, Swipe, in the first quarter of next year. The bank has described the platform as a key advancement in its push toward regional digital banking leadership.
The series of initiatives — from unlocking global e-commerce platforms to expanding payment options — marks a significant step toward enabling Maldivian businesses to participate more competitively in international markets.
