Brands of Maldives

20 19

F E AT U R E

PROFILE

R E A L E S TAT E

The Maldivian Franchise Fiesta

Naabe’s journey to commercial success

The new titan in development

INTERVIEW

Embroidery extraordinaire Ashifa Mustafa

Digital Resorts by Ooredoo Business helps you transform into a digital organization.

Inclusive of a highly customizable Digital Resort App, Digital Entertainment (IPTV), Digital HR and Digital Hub (GPON) , our portfolio integrates seamlessly with your IT environment. This delivers superior guest experiences and improves operational efficiency.

If you are looking to grow your business through a differentiated guest experience, Digital Resorts is the solution for you.

The discerning guests at your resort expect the highest levels of service during their stay, ensuring that their holiday has more cherished memories than ever before. To deliver such superior guest experience, resorts are adopting innovative technologies that offer greater efficiency, agility and deeper engagement.

Digital Resorts by Ooredoo Business is a suite of innovative, cloud based, digital solutions that help you transform into a digital resort. This solution integrates seamlessly with your existing IT environment and optimizes cost.

The Digital Resorts portfolio includes:

Digital Resort App

Digital HR

Digital Entertainment

Digital Hub

A single window for your guests to engage with you effortlessly, before, during and after their stay.

A cloud-based tool to help you simplify the employee experience.

A fully managed, state-of-the-art IPTV platform which offers the widest choice of HD entertainment, video-on-demand content and in-room services.

A fully integrated Quad-Play solution built on a single Gigabit Fiber Network which delivers superior Voice, Video, Internet and TV services.

EDITORIAL

New beginnings, new business opportunities

MARCOMMS S H AM OON AFEEF IS M AIL S H IU T H IBR AH IM ALI N U R AH R AS H EED

MO O S A LAT H EEF Edito r

GU R AIS H A AH M ED AIS H AT H R EEH AM H AR IS S H AH AADA AH M ED

Times have been kind to our small island nation. Modernisation and technological advancements have transformed the local business spectrum. In every respect, from every aspect, business is booming across the Maldives.

The evolution of the Maldivian market has, in turn, forever changed consumer experiences and expectations. However, the struggle to better acquaint audiences with a comprehensive range of products and services available today is still an uphill battle faced by many companies.

Unfolding the often enterprising climb up the corporate ladder of successful businesses and the visionary minds that drive them, Brands of Maldives serves as a stepping stone towards bridging the gaps between consumers, stakeholders, and entrepreneurs in the Maldives, and around the globe.

In addition to exclusive insights, expert analysis and forecasting, the magazine’s first issue offers readers a true glimpse into the journey of many such pioneers.

U S H A M AH IR AH M ED S IN AN R AS H EED M AR IYAM N AS EER A

DESIGN

&

LAYOUT

M OH AM ED AZLIF M IH S AN ABDU L GH AN EE AH M ED S AFFAH

COVER

PHOTO

M ILLZER O

WRITERS

MIHAARU

TEAM

IS M AIL N AS EER FAT H IM AT H S H AN A M OH A MED

Brands of Maldives aims to provide an annual overview of industrial progress and business development in the country, ushering a new wave of opportunities by empowering aspiring business people throughout the archipelago with the latest updates in trends, predictions and innovations, all the while banking on the vast knowledge of maestros in the field.

M OH AM ED YAM IN

As such, it is our hope that the magazine will serve not only as a source of information but as a tool that helps navigate the entrepreneurial labyrinth and propels the reach of Maldivian businesses, within and far beyond our oceans.

AM IN AT H R AAIA M U N AVVAR

From introspective sweeps into why businesses succeed and fail to the secrets and pitfalls of triumphs itself, the survival of small enterprises in an increasingly capitalist environment, and the beauty of competition from consumer-centric vistas, Brands of Maldives caters to the most pertinent discussions of the moment.

Each beginning brings with it new experiences, and in hindsight, we often change the course of our perspective. Thus, with decades of experience enshrined on its pages, Brands of Maldives sets out to inspire and reshape the face of ‘island business’.

AH M ED S AAIL AL I AS IM A N IZAR

WORDS

EDITION

TEAM

FAT H IM AT H S H AH U N AAZ N AFAAH AT H IBR AH IM AH M ED AIH AM M OH AM ED R AAIF AM YL JALYL M AR IYAM M ALS A S H AH U DH A M OH AM ED AIS H AT H N IS H DH A J IN AN

PUBLISHER CONTACT T 300 1515 M AR C OM S @ M IH AAR U .C O M

CONTENT

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D hive hi I n su ra n ce P rovi d i ng co nte m p o rary i ns urance s e rvi ce s fo r a m o d e rn nati o n

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Pro f i table avenues o f Invest m ent o n t h e r i s e.

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Investo rs w anted!

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Li nkS er ve th e largest IT compan y

E mb ro id e r y ex t ra o rd in a ire A sifa Mu sta fa

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L e mo n g ra ss A thi f at the ro o t

in M aldives

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Vel i g aa H ardw are

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a regu lar retailer of

N a a b e ’s jo u r n ey to co mme rc ia l su cce ss

h ardware equ ipmen t

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T h e c h al leng es fac i ng S M Es

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l i ce ns e e i n the M al d i ve s

Small an d mediu m en ter pr ises ( SM E )

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Rai nbow cu stomers can dream u p

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LUX *

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Res o r t s & H o tel s’ C OO

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Eyecare

A p o l lo a re l i ab le i m p o rte r and d i stri b uto r of co nstructi o n m ate ri al s .

D o m i ni k Ruh l

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A l Sha a l i Ma r in e P i o ne e ri ng m anufacture r o f fi b re g l ass b o ats and yachts i n the M i d d le - E ast.

th eir own ‘pot of gold’

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O o re d o o Se co nd m o b i le te le co m

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B u sin e ss t ip s

Ou r biggest ach ievemen t is

Pa vin g t he ro a d

providin g person alised ser vices

to su cce ss

T h e M al di v i an

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Franc h i s e Fi esta

Pan Ocean Inter nat i o nal

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R e ma x A n O nl i ne Succe ss Sto ry

R e a l E sta te -

you r on e-stop solu tion for

The n ew t ita n in

h ome comfor ts

d eve lo p me n t

Flo ur i s i ng S eeds

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Ma n a g e me n t

o f t h e M al di ves’

st yle s fo r Mo d e r n

Guest h o us e B us i ness

wo r k fo rce

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Profitable avenues of

Investment on the rise. Investors wanted!

FEATURE

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OH A ME D WORDS

PH OT O

R AIF AM EEL JAL EEL M IHAAR U

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If we are to see Maldives only through the lenses of tourism, we would be limiting our opportunities. We need to expand our vision beyond just tourism. Doing so, would enable us to see the vast variety of opportunities available.

Although Maldives is a proficiently developing country, hard work is necessary for the country’s economy to ascend to greater heights. Increments in investments for various fields are mandatory for Maldives to further increase wages, raise the standard of living, paving way for alluring opportunities and to become an enriching fulfilling country.

Aforementioned are factors that necessitate more investors.

During former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration, the former Minister of Finance Ahmed Inaz commented on the vast profitable opportunities available for investors. Inaz further articulated that government policies should be shaped as to implement regulations that further empowers and ease introducing investors.

“If we are to see Maldives only through the lenses of tourism, we would be limiting our opportunities. We need to expand our vision beyond just tourism.

Doing so, would enable us to see the vast variety of opportunities available,” said Inaz.

According to Inaz, with proper planning it will be possible to advance all sectors of Maldives. He expressed his belief that no matter the administration, what is best for Maldives is “realistic” long term planning.

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Construction

Transportation

sector

sector

The most rapidly advancing field in Maldives’ economy is construction. The development of luxurious apartments, guesthouses and tranquil resorts is diligently underway.

The transportation system is necessary with regards to the geographic interspersed layout of Maldives.

Many opportunities exist to increase wealth and resources. The profitable business of guest-houses correlate directly with expanding number of companies extending ferry services from island to island.

Maldives Customs’ statistics show a vast increment of 47 percent in the importation of necessities for construction from January to August 2018 when compared to the rate in 2017.

Economic experts state that with the increase of building construction, work in carpentry for the furniture required and interior designing of the building would be a vast field for work in Maldives.

Construction as a sector would with ease bring in multi-million dollars in investment, if more companies that create and design customised furniture were to be established.

However, this is still a plausible avenue for investments. In accordance with the same way that world famous brands are brought in to Maldives, new investors can be introduced to the field.

Economic professionals claim that within the broad transportation arena, even the provision and upkeep of proper functional ferry systems targeting 3-4 atolls would yield profit.

If that criteria is met, competition within the market would increase, leading to less cost for travellers and higher quality in services rendered.

Furthermore, many would profit if premium yacht marina were to be introduced.

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Agriculture sector Opportunities for agriculture in Maldives are many.

Some islands from each atoll can be leased solely for agricultural purposes in the same way that they are currently leased for tourism.

In order to develop agriculture as a profitable industry, investors are needed. Chilli, watermelon, papaya, breadfruit, banana and other agricultural products can be cultivated. It can also be internally produced rather than relying on importing.

Finance sector

Maldives’ finance sector develops at a substantially slower pace than in other countries. The finance sector can only advance with the advent of money being stored in banks. The development of the insurance sector and many international banks brought in to Maldives is of utmost importance.

Considering the progression of development in Maldives, it is also important to stabilise the finance sector and increase its revenue.

Agricultural experts stated that rather than devoting land in inhabited islands for work in agriculture, uninhabited islands can be used solely for broadening agriculture as an industry.

In order to initiate development in finance sector, specialised work can begun in unique instruments.

Islamic finance sector is a viable field that can be broadened.

If done so, agricultural products would increase drastically, and chances of agriculture facing timely advancements would be highly likely.

If investments are made in Islamic finance systems, chances of neighbouring countries becoming involved would heighten. Although the populace of Muslims in India are high, the countries development in islamic finance progresses in small increments.

Due to the aforementioned reasons, Maldives can make expansions in the sector.

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Fisheries sector It is unquestionable that the Fishing industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in Maldives.

Many improvements are being made in the world’s fishing industry.

Aqua Culture is a success for some varieties of the Fishing Sector.

Fishing experts articulated world’s celebrated seafoods such as oysters and lobsters can be locally cultured and turned into a lucrative business.

Seaweed is commonly used to make products for medicinal and beautification purposes. It is plausible that varieties of seaweed can be exported, or can be utilised to be opened for investing purposes as it would be highly profitable to do so if its harvesting can be done so in a sustainable way that would preserve the rich marine biodiversity.

Tourism is not the only sector that can be developed in Maldives as evident by the fact that the field did not amass huge amounts of wealth during its establishment. However, with government leadership and intelligent investments Maldives’ tourism sector has currently flourished to World’s leading standards.

Many ventures of investments are possible in the geographically diverse landscapes of Maldives, and one sector at the forefront would be the fishing industry.

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LinkServe ISM AIL N ASEER

the largest IT company in Maldives

WORDS

PH OT O

FEATURE

M AR IYAM M AL SA M IHAAR U

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70,000 FORTUNE

CAPITAL LUCK! Link Serve, the largest IT company in Maldives valued at MVR 20 million, started off with an initial investment of merely MVR 70,000 or US 4,529.52.

To all those that claim large amounts of capital are needed to kick-start a business, Link Serve Pvt Ltd is here to set the record straight. While it is true that several other noteworthy local companies started off with surprisingly small investments, Link Serve, the largest IT company in Maldives valued at MVR 20 million, started off with an

initial investment of merely MVR 70,000 or US 4,529.52.

The company’s reputable position in the Maldivian economy was most recently illustrated by its inclusion in the ‘Gold 100’, a listing of the top 100 companies in the country, curated by local business magazine, Corporate Maldives.

Perhaps most impressive though, is how Link Serve distinguishes itself from other successful companies in Maldives by its debt-free status.

All of the investments towards operational expansions, including the cost of upgrading retail outlets, were internally funded.

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SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS:

I T S O LU T I O N S SERVER & NETWORKING S E C U R I T Y S O LU T I O N S

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E N T E R P R I S E S O LU T I O N S DATA S E C U R I T Y

MAN AGI N G D I RE CTOR: Ibrahim Faiz

ESTABL ISHED: 2002

Humble beginnings Link Serve was founded in 2002

by Ibrahim Faiz and his brother Musthafa Faiz, both of whom continue to play lead roles in managing the company. While Mustafa Faiz handles financial affairs, as Managing Director, Ibrahim Faiz is in charge of overseeing day to day operations as well as marketing and advertising.

The company also consists of a sister to the two, acting as a silent partner.

Reflecting on the company’s beginnings, Ibrahim Faiz attributed his extensive knowledge of all matters IT, as providing a significant leg-up in the market.

At the time, Faiz was working as an engineer at Dhiraagu, Maldives’ first and largest telecommunications company.

in the capital city of Male’, lightheartedly remarking that the company had decided to display the boxes in which they brought in their first equipment, bought with their MVR 70,000 start-up capital.

Over the course of five years, Link Serve became a household name in Maldives. With every new expansion, the company noted significant growth in market presence. Now, the company owns four outlets across Maldives; two located in the capital city and the remaining outlets in Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu and Addu Atoll respectively.

Faiz, stated that Link Serve was the top local company in the ICT sector with particular popularity in networking and security. “We are not only sellers” stated Faiz.

He explained that Link Serve had expanded their services and was now capable of providing worldclass security services.

According to Faiz, the main difficulty faced during his 19year period at Dhiraagu was a lack of available equipment. It was the scarcity of engineering related tools and equipment that ultimately served as the main factor motivating the team towards establishing Link Serve.

The secret to success

Faiz reminisced of the first Link Serve outlet that was established

Link Serve’s winning formula,

Although operations had started out with two mere workers, Link Serve now employs 85 people and controls 80% of the market.

according to Faiz, is a combination of honest efforts by staff and the Managing Board’s dedication to maintaining company values and principles.

“Our core philosophy is to remain within the fold of business ethics” stated the 52-year-old father of two. Faiz stated that Link Serve provided deception-free service to customers in order to maintain the trust accorded to the company.

Planning, Faiz says, plays a key role in the growth of link-serve, while long and short-term planning and accounting for market changes are vital among the many factors that small scale enterprises looking to diversify must take into account.

Hence, Link Serve has always diligently researched market shifts including technology developments and predicted changes. “We adjusted our business to match consumer demands and made it a point to visit fares so that we could keep up with changes in technology”, stated Faiz. Despite the company’s dedication to keeping up with the times, Link Serve has a policy of never ceasing to stock products that enjoyed a loyal and consistent demand.

On a different note, Faiz emphasized that employee relations were yet another key focus area that the company prioritized. The business owner expressed his pride in the fact that staff members included those who had been employed for long as 8-10 years. Faiz considers Link Serve’s low staff turnover as an accomplishment and continues to devise strategies to maintain employees.

“I consider my employees the same way I do my customers,” said Faiz, affirming not only does he meet with employees daily but makes

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the effort to ensure that he is an approachable leader who regularly follows up on concerns. “We don’t stop at just paying salaries”, he added, stating that this was probably the reason why employees stayed with Link serve for such considerable periods of time.

With a workforce that is 80% Maldivian, Link Serve is one of Maldives’ few private companies that hire mainly from within the local talent pool. High-level employees in the home office and mid-level staff working at retail outlets are from right here in Maldives.

Faiz stated that within 15 years of running the company, maintaining employees was one of the most valuable skills that he had acquired.

He expressed his belief that the secret of leading a company up the rungs is treating staff members with as much kindness as one would display to business partners.

He describes Link Serve’s long-

serving employees as having played a major role in elevating the company’s position.

A look at the future Link Serve recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and the founders look towards the company’s future with unabashed hope. While the company has reached the top of the market in its respective field, Link Serve aims to expand into new fields.

Adapting to the dispersed structure of the island nation, the company has begun efforts to develop a highquality delivery system, to increase efficiency in transporting goods.

“We are working to establish ‘Red Box’, a company that will create and provide a local delivery network” said Faiz, “Several major agents and customers that have worked with Link Serve are involved

with the project”. Pilot studies have already been completed, however, launching the full-fledged application may take another month.

Faiz has high hopes for Red Box, an online business, excited by its potential to provide digitallybased small-scale enterprises with a fighting chance to survive and grow.

“The main obstacle faced by online businesses in Maldives is the lack of a delivery network”, he said.

According to Faiz, considerable investments and efforts are being directed towards ensuring the success of the new initiative.

The seemingly missing piece of the puzzle just on the way, armed with an unfailingly loyal team of employees and managers, Link Serve’s future seems to be as bright ahead, as it has been in its journey thus far.

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Veligaa Hardware a regular retailer of hardware equipment

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

ADVERTORIAL

AHM ED AIHAM M OHAM ED M IHAAR U

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The company has long prided itself over the vast range of quality and affordable products it has debuted in the country

Back in 2008, Veligaa Hardware was launched as a humble runof-the-mill retailer of hardware equipment. Since, the company has expanded its roots in various sectors pertaining to the hardware industry, and a decade later, is heralded as one of the largest hardware brands in the Maldives.

As such, the company currently boasts a total of five outlets, all built to the same standard, spread across capital city Male’ and reclaimed suburb Hulhumale’,

In line with the company’s commitment to improving the quality of its services, Veligaa Hardware plans to increase investment in its employees, expand its portfolio

that are designed to cater to a wide spectrum of consumer demands.

The hardware company also features dedicated service centre that offers extensive servicing for equipment sold through its stores.

Further strengthening its position in the market, the company recently launched an outlet by the name of Blanc , which specialises in the retail of sanitary ware and interior design solutions.

A store that is as aesthetic as the furnishings displayed within, Blanc offers products such as ‘VRH’ sanitary ware and faucets, ‘Osleder’ lights, decorative planters from ‘Capi Europe’, and dustbins by ‘EKO’.

Over the years, Veligaa has ushered in a plethora of top brands from around the globe to Maldivian shores, of which the most notable introductions include products from power tool manufacturer ‘Metabo’, adhesive producer ‘Selleys’ and hand tool makers ‘Wera’ and ‘Knipex’.

To celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary, last year Veligaa Hardware opened doors to a brand new ‘Corporate Customer Centre’.

As a business initiative, it was an especially important step towards better accommodating the needs of customers based outside of the capital city.

In addition to providing expert consultation on the most suitable tools, the new establishment offers customers the option of queuefree services for bulk orders, while providing testing facilities for trial-

use before making a purchase.

As with other similarly successful enterprises, the leading minds behind Veligaa Hardware actively work to acknowledge and value their hardworking staff. Adding to its diversity, the company employs over 150 individuals from six different nationalities, across its various departments and outlets.

The company has long prided itself over the vast range of quality and affordable products it has debuted in the country. In fact, a claim that no individual would fail to know the name Veligaa Hardware, would be far from false - at least in this archipelago.

In line with the company’s commitment to improving the quality of its services, Veligaa Hardware plans to increase investment in its employees, expand its portfolio with investments in cutting-edge technology and offer products that are more environmentally viable. By doubling down on digital platforms, the team also hopes to expand operational efficiency as well as further advance its customer experience.

Today, in tune with the continuously broadening expectations of the modern customer, Veligaa Hardware is gearing up to improve its already impressive profile by continuing the company’s tradition of providing high quality, state of the art products that cater to modern consumer needs and exciting improvements made to its extended range of services.

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The challenges facing SMEs Small and medium enterprises (SME)

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

FEATURE

Small and medium enterprises (SME), as small and medium as they may be, play a crucial role in the economy of any country.

However, these small businesses, that are directly connected to the livelihood of their owners, face a lot of challenges to make a lasting impact on the economy. As a result, a lot of SMEs reach an end before they are allowed to reach maturity and display their full potential.

A survey conducted by Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2014 shows that SMEs consist of 90 percent of the businesses in all the countries included in the survey.

If the survey results are broken down into statistics of separate countries, it shows that 59 percent of Indonesian businesses are SMEs. In Thailand, this number is at 37 percent, while in Malaysia, SMEs consist of 32 percent of businesses.

The survey conducted by ADB highlights the four most challenging factors to keep an SME business up and running for a long period of time.

SHAHUD HA M OHAM ED STOCK PHOTO

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Financial Difficulties

The biggest challenge facing any small or medium business is acquiring the money and assets needed for expansion. This challenge is further emphasized considering that most SMEs commence from a very low budget, and the income generated during the beginning of a business is less than ample. Due to this, acquiring bank loans is also a complication.

Since loans require a valuable asset for the security deposit, it is not a feasible option for SMEs. Moreover, such small businesses also struggle to generate funds to start up any creative businesses on the side.

Dean of Business Management in Villa College, and SME Consultant Abdulla Nafiz highlighted the importance for the government to establish a system which would allow SMEs to more conveniently obtain the finances needed for their projects.

He also focused on the need to create policies that would benefit SMEs with the introduction of credit guarantee schemes.

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Failure to conduct proper research

Since SMEs are generated with a very small capital, it can oftentimes be quite troublesome to conduct proper research prior to launching.

Even after establishment, lack of funds pose a difficulty in carrying out the necessary research to ensure the future of the business, which prevents the business from reaching its full capacity.

According to Nafiz, creative and innovative businesses especially require a full research, even more so than other types of enterprises.

“Small businesses start without conducting market research. This is the reason we can see shops changing in the same location within 2 to 3 months in Male’. Market can be understood even with a minimal amount of research.”

Nafiz explained that finding out why enterprises go out of business in the blink of an eye is a great way to deduce the best location to establish a new venture. He spoke about how most ambitious SME owners are not informed of the market scene due to the lack of proper research.

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Difficulty in scoring the market

Smaller businesses have much to prove against larger companies. For instance, the familiar retail shop on the street corner is in constant competition with its neighbouring, better-established super-mart. While brand-savvy supermarts can juggle the option of slashing prices and selling goods below market rates, if an SME were to reduce their pricing to the same level, it would be akin to ‘welcoming bankruptcy’ in the near future.

Speaking earnestly about the ways in which SMEs catering to diverse ‘niche’ demands all over the world, Nafiz stated his opinion that Maldives has not yet matured enough to reach such a stage. He speculated means that would allow the government to support smaller enterprises, suggesting that the administration open bidding for certain projects exclusively to SMEs, thereby eliminating the larger competition.

“Big companies have an advantage in various aspects, including the pricing of goods. The government has the power to change this by especially giving opportunities to specific types of businesses”, Nafiz articulated.

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Lack of familiarity with recent technology

The world is currently witnessing a day and age where technology is developing at a shockingly fast rate. Every household, and every individual within that household, now utilizes smartphones and smart technology on a daily basis. Many Maldivians have also set up e-commerce businesses, which has an advantageous edge compared to SMEs. Not having to rent out a physical work space is one of the most favorable factors of an online business. Such businesses also do not require many employees to run the shop, further adding to their list of advantages. However, SMEs cannot afford the same privileges, penalizing them in the ever-competitive economy. Most small enterprises do not even have their own website.

A research conducted by World Bank in 2016 shows that while 90 percent of the population use smartphones and internet, only 10 percent of SMEs utilize technology to provide the option of ordering their products or services online.

On top of it all, the tax system in the Maldives further puts these struggling businesses at a disadvantage. “The revenue generated by SMEs are usually low. Growth is limited because employees have to be paid, company expenditures need to be handled and government tax has to be paid. There must be less strict policies regarding BPT and GST�, he said.

SMEs act as a tipping point in the economy of countries all over the world. Such is the case for Maldivians as well. Therefore, in order to boost the economy of a country, paying attention to SMEs and aiding them to reach success is a fundamental process to secure the future of our economy.

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Rainbow customers can dream up their own ‘pot of gold’

M OHAM ED YAM IN WORDS

PH OT O

ADVERTORIAL

SHAHUD HA M OHAM ED M IHAAR U

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Borne from a country that revels in the ‘art of doing nothing’, Maldivians are famous for having a taste for the finer things in life, especially where their own home spaces, and the everyday image presented to the world, is concerned. Our society as a whole depicts a fine example of ensuring that the entire household is pristine and perfect, from one’s bedroom to the kitchen and everything in between.

The most noteworthy achievement of Rainbow is unarguably the trust locals have come to place in the company, and the loyal relationship the company has developed with its consultants.

Certainly, this desire for quality also extends to bathrooms, and when it comes to attaining the most aesthetically pleasing of designs, Rainbow Maldives’ answers to all.

From introducing world-famous Cotto brand sanitary ware and fittings to the country nearly 22 years ago, the company has grown far and wide, adding the selection of tiles to their catalogue three years back, as well as a plethora of other offerings. These products have found a special place in the hearts of locals, who flock to purchase the latest additions regularly. However, the most noteworthy achievement of Rainbow is unarguably the trust locals have come to place in the company, and the loyal relationship the company has developed with its consultants.

With hopes of extending availability across the scattered archipelago of

The companies employee count is over 150, across the various departments and outlets.

the Maldives, Rainbow established an outlet, in addition to the flagship store in capital Male’, nestled in the bosom of the southern region, at Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.

Meanwhile, the numerous subdealerships catering to orders made via Rainbow’s online shop , are located in various regions of Maldives, allowing the company to provide a nation-wide service.

Since Rainbow was founded in 1990, the company has been introducing special products into the market.

With passing time, the business boomed and the brand broadened, spreading its branches into many areas, including the introduction of products and services specially intended to meet needs within the construction sector.

Presently, Rainbow stands on a

pedestal of its own, as a leading business brand offering a one-stop solution for all your homely needs, from products required during initial building design stage, to the rather culminative point, when the house keys are finally handed over to the owner. Just as the company endorsed ad brought forth Cotto, with the intent of infusing the Maldivian marketplace with high quality branded, products, Rainbow is set to continue exceeding expectations across the board.

Hence, balancing Rainbow’s achievements, accomplishments and service, product quality on both shoulders, it seems that to try the experiences this promising and enduring brand has to offer, is a must in every way.

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LUX* Resorts & Hotels’ COO Dominik Ruhl "We say at LUX* that we’re in the 'time business’."

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

FEATURE

FATHIM ATH SHAHUN AAZ M IHAAR U

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A visa complication and subsequently missed chance at an exchange programme to Hong Kong were what fortuitously landed Dominik Ruhl in the field of hospitality.

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He grins wryly as he reminisces how his illustrious career took off purely “by accident”.

“I was at home, wondering what I would do,” he narrates, looking back at the days after he finished school in his home country of Germany.

“My neighbour was running a hotel company and asked me if I wanted to do a training for a couple of months, and I said, ‘Why not, I’ll do that and see how I like it' - and well, 25 years later, I’m still here!”

After his apprenticeship, Ruhl launched his career with Ritz Carlton in the United States, first in Cleveland in 1995 and then in Kapalua, Hawaii, where he worked until mid-1998. Ruhl’s next stint was bigger - opening a hotel in Mexico - before he joined the Four Seasons Hotel in Punta Mita. It was from there that Ruhl found himself bound for an unprecedented destination.

“One of my colleagues told me, ‘If you like the ocean so much, I’ve just come from the Maldives’”, he recalls.

N AM E D OM IN IK R UHL

D ESIGN ATION LUX* R ESOR TS & HOTEL S' COO

As fate would have it, Ruhl was invited to fly into the island nation for an interview by Hilton Maldives in 2000.

“The moment I landed, in the seaplane, I said, ‘This is it!’. It was love at first sight”.

He worked mostly in the Maldives for the next 10 years, starting out as the Room Division Manager and Director of Operations at Conrad Rangali, before he landed his first General Manager position at the newly opened Mirihi Island Resort in 2003. Three years later, he took on projects in the Caribbean, returning to the Maldives in 2007

My neighbour was running a hotel company and asked me if I wanted to do a training for a couple of months, and I said, ‘Why not, I’ll do that and see how I like it' - and well, 25 years later, I’m still here!

33

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

to serve as the General Manager at Anantara Resort for a year before heading back to the Caribbean again.

"I came into the hotel industry because I wanted to travel, I wanted to see different places”, he says, explaining why he never stayed in one place for long.

However, Ruhl found himself drawn back to the little archipelago in the Indian Ocean. He returned to take on Diva Maldives Resort & Spa as General Manager in March 2010 and stuck with the company, now rebranded as the famous LUX* Maldives, ever since.

Creating extraordinary moments “When I left [the Maldives], I said ‘It’s just not the same’, because the Maldives, it’s a very special place; especially when you’ve seen so many other options”.

He grins when asked what it was about the Maldives that he found so alluring. With a sweeping gesture at the shimmering cerulean lagoon of LUX* North Male, he says, "It’s beautiful but not just from the scenery, but also from the experience; from the people, from the way we work here. " "Every guest that arrives, it is a different way that people are welcomed, the guests are received.

I think that Maldivians really feel that the place where they work - not just LUX* but I think in many hotels - they see it as their home. They are receiving foreigners to their home, and if you receive friends at your home, you want to make sure they have the best experience."

“Right now we have 23 projects in development for LUX* across the world”

"Whereas in other places I had to focus just to get the basics right, to have the guests look after ... in the Maldives that happens almost automatically. So we can spend our time to create extraordinary moments and really go above and beyond, and I think that’s the secret to the success of where the Maldives was in the ’70s to where it is now”.

And how does Ruhl inspire his staff to create extraordinary moments and good experiences for their guests?

“By proactive listening and anticipating”, he smiles.

"We say at LUX* that we’re in the 'time business’. You come to us and give us five days of your time, and time is precious … we have to make [most of] every moment”.

His passion for his work bleeds through to his voice as he speaks of the importance of paying attention to, and delivering, the kind of experience each individual guest needed.

“There’s a lot of times that guests don’t ask [for what they want], but if you actively listen and you proactively deliver on the cues that the guests may give you, that’s when you’re running a successful resort”.

From General Manager at LUX* Maldives, Ruhl progressed to Regional Director overseeing

Maldives, Middle East and Greater China in 2014, before his current post as Chief Operating Officer at LUX* Resorts and Hotels in 2016.

Looking back at how the Maldivian hospitality sector has evolved since he first stepped off that seaplane in 2000, Ruhl notes that the greatest difference is the current abundance of international chains and luxury brands.

“Before ... it was very basic. You came for diving, you came for the beach, you were under a palm tree and you didn’t mind that you had very basic facilities and not a lot of variety of food. So the travellers that came before were more [scuba] divers and adventurers, and people that wanted to have something very exotic, and [they] made a lot of concessions. " "But if you come now, well, you still have all of that, but you have all the luxuries that you’d expect when you go to any other high-end destination”, he says, praising the country’s success in establishing itself as a top bucket-list item.

He also highlights the rapidly advancing local tourism industry, noting that guesthouses opened the Maldives to a whole new demographic of travellers. “… It’s a lot happening. But I think if you can do it right and if the infrastructure can keep up, if the airport gets opened, and we do the right marketing and promote the

35

destination on top of the hotels, there’s still a lot of room to grow for the Maldives”.

Something ‘lighter’ As the topic steers towards Ruhl’s career highlights and personal achievements, he states matterof-factly, “It’s very hard to achieve anything on your own. You achieve things together”.

For Ruhl, one of the greatest accomplishments was how the team behind LUX* managed to overcome a financial crisis, to rise up the ranks and become a top destination contender.

“Our company was basically bankrupt”, he says of the crisis that occurred circa 2006/2007, before the rebranding.

“We had to pay the loans, [it was a] complicated mess … and at the very end, we thought ‘What are we going to call this company?’ And we always talked that we wanted to be ‘lighter’, so we decided to call [the company] LUX*, which is a Latin word for ‘light’. It didn’t come from ‘luxury’."

"And we managed to - without any renovation - we increased our occupancy, we increased our ratings on TripAdvisor. That has been nothing but the secret to our success, that everybody who worked, in any of our hotels, has contributed to making something out of a very difficult situation”.

Sitting by the water’s edge of the newest property LUX* Resorts and Hotels unveiled in the Maldives, Ruhl looks quietly proud of the company and team he has been with for the better part of the last decade, as he sheds light on their

future ventures.

“Right now we have 23 projects in development for LUX* across the world”, he says, listing a few examples such as the hotels in Mauritius, France, Italy, Turkey and China.

"We just moved our head office to Singapore [in January 2019] because we have a lot of development in South East Asia as well. So yeah, we have big plans and we’ve been very fortunate to get where we are today. " "But we understand that the Maldives will always be a very important part of what we do”.

As for his own priorities as the COO, Ruhl affirms that he focuses not on telling his staff what to do, but to "support the hotels in becoming more successful, more efficient, help them to increase the service delivery, and increase the success of the hotels”.

Sea of sameness With hundreds of new hotels scheduled to open across the Maldives over the next few years, competition has grown stronger than ever, and LUX* is not exempt from the challenges that arise.

"I think the challenges are to, what I always say, to drown in the 'sea of sameness’”, says Ruhl seriously.

"There are so many hotels that are very similar. And unless you do something different, unless you dare to try new things, you will disappear in the mass of all these new hotels”.

The LUX* brand has risen to the

challenge, even with its latest property in North Male’ Atoll, which offers a fresh alternative to the traditional thatched-roof suites prevalent across the country, with penthouse villas in a refreshing nautical design complete with sprawling rooftop terraces for stargazing.

Being bold and unique is a rule that applies to all other services as well, Ruhl emphasises, especially cuisine, which is a defining factor of a hotel, as well as unexpected surprises for visitors.

“You have to keep surprising your own repeater guests but also, obviously, you have to encourage others to come to your resort”.

His advice for young hoteliers preparing to brave the business, as well as ventures that are struggling to stay afloat, is the same.

“You have to be bold. You have to dare to be different. Because if you try to compete by doing the same, there will be a lot of others that have bigger pockets…"

"Here, if you look at it, every hotel has great beaches, beautiful palm trees, turquoise lagoons.

So it’s expected when you come to the Maldives. But if you have something that sets you apart and you can talk about and really make it your own, then you succeed”.

He stresses, again, on the evermounting competition in the Maldives, with around 20 new hotels lined up to open this year alone.

"And there’ll be another 20 next year, another 20 the year after, and the guests have to come from somewhere..."

"So either do it differently or you will drown in the sea of sameness”.

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Eyecare FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED

Our biggest achievement is providing personalised services ADVERTORIAL

WORDS

PH OT O

AISHATH N ISHD HA J IN AN M IHAAR U

37

The most important factor is having a solid plan, and ensuring that words are followed through by determined action.

Established in 2003, Eyecare Opticals was the first store to provide eye prescriptions and sell prescription glasses.

Easy access to the services of opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists has bettered the lives of hundreds of Maldivians.

Along with the services of esteemed optometrists, Eyecare also supplies prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. In addition, they provide swimming goggles and masks.

Since Eyecare first introduced surgical services four years ago, the establishment has grown to serve a range Ophthalmological needs, and is now recognized as a fully fledged hospital. As a pioneer in the business, it is unsurprising that the majority of eye surgeries in the Maldives is performed by Eyecare.

In addition to providing laser surgical services, Eyecare also provides treatment for retinal diseases and is the sole provider of intravitreal injections in the countr y.

Much of the success that Eyecare has had can be attributed to its Managing Director Abdulla Zahir, himself a renowned eye specialist.

Zahir returned to Malé in 2002, after studying medicine at Institute of Medicine (IOM), Tribhuvan University, Nepal and started

working for the government.

However, in the same year, he also began working towards opening his own clinic.

Zahir's aim remained to secure Eyecare's position as the leading provider of eye care services. His tireless work and dedication, along with a team of professionals, have propelled Eyecare in the industry.

Not just a leader in terms of medical facilities, Eyecare is also known to be a reputable business that boasts a low employee turnover and provides consistently high-quality services.

“If a customer is displeased with a product bought from our store, we exchange the item with no added charge. Our biggest achievement is a customer’s commendation.”

Addressing the success of the company, Zahir states that although Eyecare has its share of business secrets on developing a local brand, the journey forward was fully planned and intended.

“Even when we first started off, employees had certain guidelines to follow. There was a customer service system, particular staff grooming regulations and we even introduced a uniform.”

He also stated that a catchy slogan and a memorable name were essential in creating a brand.

Speaking of what is to come, Zahir added that, ““Eyecare will promptly begin providing phacoemulsification services in the coming four months, and is also planning to open a hospital in Hulhumalé around June this year.”

Exploring what is ahead for the holdings company at large, Zahir mentioned entering the automobile

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industry, with the introduction of Maldives Auto Store in 2011, which sells branded motorcycles.

Zahir also declared that the company would like to trade in realestate in future.

In a sense, the company is no stranger to real-estate though, having entered the liveaboard industry in 2010, as well as building a 100-room city hotel in Maandhoo, a stunning island in Alif Dhaalu Atoll. The hotel is valued at USD 6 million and is set to open doors within this year.

"Suggestions made by other people led to us exploring opportunities in other industries", said Zahir, as he explained that the biggest obstacle faced by the company is a lack of governmental support.

"We opened these businesses seeking ways to obtain foreign currency, which is a real problem in the Maldives".

Elaborating on the issues with cooperation from state administrations, Zahir said, "It is difficult to procure permissions for certain projects unless we have a contact on the inside."

The startup worth USD 200,000 is now an investment worth millions of dollars.

However, operating and growing a successful company isn't too difficult, according to Zahir.

The most important factor is having a solid plan, and ensuring that words are followed through by determined action.

"If you aim too high, triumph may be beyond reach. Your company must not solely depend on loans it must run on its own capital", he advises.

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The Maldivian

Franchise Fiesta FEATURE

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

SHAHUD HA M OHAM ED M IHAAR U

41

Within the waves of urbanization beaching onto the shores of Maldives, fast food chains have recently swept the hearts of our island nation. Every new outlet popping up in the capital opens their doors to the public with a festive celebration, tickling customer taste buds with tantalizing teasers. With the exciting new flavours each brand brings to the table, it’s no surprise that the hype increases with every new opening.

The more traction franchise businesses gain, the more attractive a spot the Maldives becomes for entrepreneurs looking to open outlets hailing from marketable food-chains.

One such eatery with several years of experience under their belt is Secret Recipe. A Malaysian company established in 1997, the halal-certified cafe’ chain company currently operates 440 outlets all over the world. In 2016, they introduced their brand to the Maldivian capital, opening an outlet in the heart of bustling Male’ City.

without savouring one of Secret Recipe’s signature dishes.

The spiciest topic following their opening on Majeedhee Magu revolved around the delicious Malaysian cuisine and flavorful cakes being served in the restaurant. Including the new outlet in Hulhumale’s Waterfront Building, the brand currently boasts two outlets in the Maldives.

On the topic of franchises, Gloria Jeans Coffee that opened in Rasfannu Pavilion April 2018 deserves a notable mention. The chain that blossomed from a small coffee shop founded by an American actress by the name of Gloria Jeans at Long Grove, Illinois, right outside Chicago, USA mid1979, now flaunts over 1000 outlets across 39 different countries.

Maldivians already had a soft spot for the Malaysian tastes of Secret Recipe, even before their tastes made a home in the Maldives.

Dining at one of the outlets was definitely on the to-do-list of every Maldivian visiting Malaysia – a trip would simply not be concluded

Offering cuisines similar to Maldivian palates, the love our people share for this brand has been evident since the beginning, and for those watching, it surely shows. Now, their cakes have become a mandatory aspect of any birthday celebration among locals.

With the ever-increasing demand, two additional outlets opened in the Maldives shortly after the brand’s introduction, including one in the departure hall of Velana International Airport, and one

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in front of Velaanaage on Ameer Ahmed Magu. The wide range of hot and cold beverages available in these outlets are simply to die for.

Some brands that entered the franchise scene a little later on, but experienced huge success are Pizza Hut and KFC, which both entered the food and beverage scene in 2018.

The anticipation of these openings was such that queues popped up and continued for hours with eager customers absolutely buzzing with excitement for the flavourextravaganzas that awaited.

Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut have now successfully become popular household names in the Maldives just as they are known to be, all over the globe.

Most recently, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) signed agreements with Italy’s HSM Host International – a significant name in the provision of food and beverages in various airports located across the globe. This bestowed upon the Maldivian franchise arena, several new openings at the WaterFront Restaurant area in front of Velana International Airport’s domestic terminal, including secondary outlets for KFC and Pizza Hut as well as brand-new offerings such as Costa Coffee and Harvest Market.

HSM currently operates cafés and restaurants in the airports of over 150 countries.

The more traction franchise businesses gain, the more attractive a spot the Maldives becomes for entrepreneurs looking to open outlets hailing from marketable food-chains. The eagerness of locals flocking to newly opened eateries is proof that, at least in the current business environment, one cannot go wrong with investing a promising brand in the Maldivian archipelago.

E STA BLISHE D : 1997

E STA BL I S H ED : mid-1979

A Malaysian company,

The chain that blossomed

the halal-certified cafe’

from a small coffee shop

chain company currently

founded by an American

operates 440 outlets all

actress by the name of Gloria

over the world

Jeans at Long Grove, Illinois, right outside Chicago, USA mid1979-, now flaunts over 1000 outlets across 39 different countries.

43

ESTABL ISH ED: 1952

E STA BLISHE D : 1958

E STA BL I S H ED : 1971

American fast food restaurant

American restaurant

British multinational

chain headquartered in

chain and international

coffeehouse company

Louisville, Kentucky that

franchise which was

headquartered in

specializes in fried chicken.

founded in 1958 by Dan

Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

It is the world's second-

and Frank Carney. The

Costa Coffee was founded

largest restaurant chain after

company is known for its

in London in 1971 by

McDonald's, with 22,621

Italian-American cuisine

the Costa family as a

locations globally in 136

menu

wholesale operation

countries

supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops.

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

Pan Ocean International your one-stop solution for home comforts

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

ADVERTORIAL

FATHIM ATH SHAHUN AAZ AL LOR A

45

Pan Ocean features

the largest office furniture showroom in the Maldives, while also retailing

revolutionary products such as the doctor-recommended memory foam mattresses and pillows.

Since its advent into Maldives in 1995, Pan Ocean International Private Limited has carved a remarkable niche for itself in the archipelago, becoming the fastest growing name in the local furniture and home improvement industry.

Quickly establishing itself as a trusty wholesaler of famous international brands, as their authorised distributor, the company brought the likes of SB Furniture, Visco Pro, T.A. Furniture Industries, and Alpha Industries to the Maldivian market.

Pan Ocean kicked off high-end furniture sales within just five years of establishment, unveiling the ‘Allora Pan Home’ in 2000. The outlet brought about revolutionary success for the entire company, and from there, it was onwards and upwards for Pan Ocean.

Steadily expanding the business, Pan Ocean opened ‘Allora Office Furniture’ in 2005, followed by ‘Ozaro Homecare’ aimed at medium

range products, and ‘Pan Metal’, specialising in the wholesale of stainless steel.

Another notch on the belt, Pan Ocean features the largest office furniture showroom in the Maldives, while also retailing revolutionary products such as the doctor-recommended memory foam mattresses and pillows.

Meticulously cultivating a reputation for both quality and attentive customer care, Pan Ocean’s main target now is to assess the market gaps in the

furniture and home improvement sector and meet the demands.

The name Allora has become synonymous with quality and stylish home-care; a resounding echo of their monumental success over the past 24 years. Relentless in its pursuit of luxury interiors, Pan Ocean continues to introduce big names to the Maldives, from products hailing from the United Kingdom, Turkey and Thailand among others.

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Flourishing Seeds of the Maldives’ Guesthouse Business Benefits from local tourism are not exclusive to hoteliers - other complimentary forays into hospitality can blossom as well!

FEATURE

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

AHM ED AIHAM M OHAM ED D HIGUR AH R ETR EAT BEACH | V EL AN A MA A FUS H I

47

Maldives' local tourism industry is growing at a massive rate, and since the country's first guesthouse was established in 2008, the market itself has grown and evolved immensely.

Central Atolls such as Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll

and Vaavu Atoll have emerged as premier tourist destinations.

However, most islands lack businesses and facilities that one would expect to be established hand in hand as guesthouse tourism flourishes.

As it would be difficult for a

guesthouse to accommodate every facility that a tourist may require, there is a huge demand for specialized businesses to establish themselves at these destinations.

In the words of an economics teacher from Keyodhoo, Vaavu Atoll, as the guesthouse business

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expands, only a few businesses develop alongside the industry.

“The business is run mostly by those who do not properly understand it. This sort of businesses require longterm planning. There are many important opportunities that crop up for private individuals”, said the teacher.

In the hopes of inspiring local entrepreneurs and those that invest in them, here are some forms of business that duly complement and help local tourism, lifting the burden off of guesthouses, and spreading the likely income across a community.

Patisseries

Ever since guesthouses began emerging in local islands, the demand for baked goods especially pastries, have grown significantly high.

Bread and other forms of pastry are mostly imported to islands through

the demand for baked goods especially pastries, have grown significantly high.

capital city Male’. However, to tackle the issue, a shop could instead be opened on the specific island itself, thus providing an avenue for the economy of the island to grow and eliminating the business’ dependency on another island, and associated costs.

Café & Restaurants

Several islands that feature guesthouses, also boast a number of cafes and restaurants.

It is understood that guests prefer having multiple options on the island during their stay. One way to assure mutual growith is for a variety of cafes and restaurants to each specialize in a particular cuisine, especially catering to those vying to sample a taste of traditional Maldivian offerings.

Spas

Although most guesthouses cater to middle-income guests, a spa may be an attractive, as well as useful, facility where tourists can unwind after a long day of snorkelling, diving or watersports.

As spas are mostly found based at the many luxury resorts in the country, guests that visit local islands will surely be drawn to a multipurpose spa facility. On islands where traditional medicine

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The business is run mostly by those who do not properly understand it. This sort of businesses require longterm planning. There are many important opportunities that crop up for private individuals

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

51

Businesses could and should employ local crafters to

showcase Maldivian traditions and culture using products like lacquerware, miniature 'dhoni' (traditional boat)

building, mat weaving, hand-woven traditional clothes and so forth.

guide must interpret the cultural and natural heritage of each destination as well as possessing factual knowledge of the island.

He or she must also be able to disseminate such information to those who visit the island. For young folk eager to fine-tune their ability to converse in languages or who enjoy socially engaging work, this is a wonderful opportunity - for those running such business, it can also be a very profitable one.

Although tour guides are a relatively small industry in islands as compared to capital Male, the field of work could potentially generate a fair income for the guides.

across their surfaces and depicting local underwater scenery, these souvenirs tend to be imported from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and other Asian countries known for their craftsmanship.

Nevertheless local artistry is not lacking, and these businesses could and should employ local crafters to showcase Maldivian traditions and culture using products like lacquerware, miniature 'dhoni' (traditional boat) building, mat weaving, hand-woven traditional clothes and so forth.

Some businesses based in Male' have already begun to do so, empowering locals while also flaunting a widely appreciated label of authenticity.

Water Sports Laundry &

and massages are commonplace, it may even revive the dying art. It would certainly serve as a memorable experience to receive a treatment formulated from locally sourced products like coconut oil, in a serene island setting.

Tours & Guides

A tour guide, as the name suggests, is a person who guides tourists and offers information about their destination. As the islands making up Maldives are geographically displaced, and because all islands are unique in their own right, the

Already water sports play a huge role in guest attractions for any local tourist economy, however, the need for the industry to expand is ever present.

Housekeeping

These service providers should diversify and specialize in various activities for the guests to experience while tailoring special packages and programmes for these tourists.

Laundry and housekeeping are two of the key, if somewhat underestimated, aspects of running a hotel. Since there are so few laundry facilities set up in local islands, more and more regions have demonstrated a growing need for the industry to expand, and cater to the ever booming guesthouse sector, not to mention dive centres, liveaboards, safaris and spas!

Maldivian Souvenirs

While most islands do boast some sort of souvenir shop, the products are often produced by foreign workers, at a foreign nation. Despite having the name 'Maldives' painted

After all, the need to look clean and be clean is not unique to any one aspect of the hospitality business!

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Dhivehi Insurance Providing contemporary insurance services for a modern nation ADVERTORIAL

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

R AIF AM YL JALYL M IHAAR U

53

Not only has Dhivehi Insurance introduced a range of highly specialized insurance products, the company’s employee base consists exclusively of Maldivians.

Dhivehi Insurance Company was established in 2016 and was launched to provide professional and modern insurance services in Maldive's insurance field. In order to provide efficient and effective solutions to damages faced by local businesses, Dhivehi Insurance is working as partners with the companies.

A veteran in the insurance arena, Managing Director of Dhivehi Insurance Abdul Wahid Thaufeeq resolved that while some Maldivians may have an inaccurate impression of insurance in general, Dhivehi Insurance would strive to clarify queries and raise awareness, and offer clients their best policies, coverage and its benefits.

Wahid describes the company’s approach as a “new” one that casts aside traditional methods of selling off-shelf products in favour of customization, along with advisory services that instruct clients on how to minimize their risk for the best value add.

its extensive list of corporate packages Fire and Additional Perils, Marine Hull, Contractors’ All Risk, Group Personal Accident and Marine Corps insurances, as well as personal options such as Consequential Loss, Public Liability, Homeowners, Travel and Motor Insurance packages.

These days, Dhivehi Insurance is in preparations for adding even more to its repertoire, and plans to introduce several new products and services are already underway.

However one of its most exciting new projects is the commencement of a series of seminars called ‘Insurance Insights’ aimed at familiarising the public on the subject of insurance.

According to the insurance company, the seminars were a corporate social responsibility initiative that provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss

Dhivehi Insurance assured that they would always work together with contemporary reinsurance companies with assured excellence. As ever, the company’s goal remains aligned with working to extend swift aid to companies, in case of damages.

Over the last few years, Dhivehi Insurance has counted amongst

and engage with each other on important topics.

Not only has Dhivehi Insurance introduced a range of highly specialized insurance products, the company’s employee base consists exclusively of Maldivians. These local representatives are able to provide the most wholesome relevant information about the eight best suited insurances for clients with ease.

The insurance company is also working towards reaching absolute new economic heights in providing protection for companies under the appropriately named scheme “Protection for A Better Tomorrow”.

Unexpectedly for a company that boasts a long term vision to ‘keep it local’, Dhivehi Insurance is moving towards not only its advance, but in hopes of realising a dream of the development of Maldives’ entire insurance industry as a whole.

FIRE & ADDITIONAL PERILS

SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS:

MARINE HULL

=

C O N T R A CTO R S ’ A L L R I S K GROUP PERSONAL ACCIDENT MARINE CORPS INSURANCES C O N S E Q U E N T I A L LO S S PUBLIC LIABILITY HOMEOWNERS

MANAGIN G D IRE CTO R: Abdul Wahid Thaufeeq

E STA BLISHE D : 2016

T R AV E L & M OTO R I N S U R A N C E PA C K A G E S

=

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Embroidery extraordinaire Ashifa Mustafa an artist weaving culture and business together

FATHIM ATH SHAN A M OHAM ED WORDS

PH OT O

FEATURE

M AR IYAM M AL SA M IHAAR U

55

Ashifa Mustafa, an enterprising, 39-year-old businesswoman earns a comfortable income through a rather unconventional trade, at least for these modern times.

A maestro of the signature shimmering, intricate collar that adorns traditional Maldivian dress, Ashifa brings alive the art of ‘Kasabu’ embroidery by weaving together silver and golden thread on to the cuffs and necklines of ‘Dhivehi Libaas’, for custom orders.

Ashifa, a mother of four residing in the capital city of Male’ comfortably covers all her living expenses through her craft with undeniable talent and considerable patience.

NAME AS H I FA MU S TAFA , 3 9 Y EAR S

B U S I NESS " K AS AB U " EMB RO I DER Y

A maestro of the signature shimmering, intricate collar that adorns traditional Maldivian dress, Ashifa brings alive the art of ‘Kasabu’ embroidery by weaving together silver and golden thread on to the cuffs and necklines of ‘Dhivehi Libaas’, for custom orders.

The businesswoman states that the selling price of a small Dhivehi Libaas is MVR 1,800 while a larger one usually goes for MVR 2,500.

Ashifa occasionally rakes in up to MVR 20,000 during the peak of the Maldivian tourism season.

While tech-savvy millennials living largely automated lives may find Ashifa Mustafa’s career choice strange, the businesswoman describes earning a deep satisfaction from making a living promoting a ‘dying craft’.

As there are very few, if any, remaining Maldivians that are knowledgeable in the craft of Kasabu-making, it is of great importance to both Ashifa and her family that her talents are passed down. In line with this, Ashifa is already teaching the craft to young Maldivians.

Dating back to the very first stitch Ashifa reiterates how she was taught Kasabu weaving by her

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With a twinge of nostalgia, Ashifa mentions how she picked up the skill by observing the intricate craft being practised in her childhood home - never really out of a desire to generate revenue out of the work.

57

mother, herself taught by Ashifa’s grandmother, dating back to a great-grand matriarch who first introduced the skill to the ladies in the family.

With a twinge of nostalgia, Ashifa mentions how she picked up the skill by observing the intricate craft being practised in her childhood home - never really out of a desire to generate revenue out of the work.

How old were you when you began weaving?

“I began when I was about 12 or 13”, said Ashifa.

“I started out playing with materials that were left out for weaving by my mother or grandmother when I was bored”.

When did Kasabu weaving develop into a business?

“It became a business when I created a Facebook page”, Asifa stated, adding that the page, established in 2013, had given her work a lot of exposure.

The businesswoman expressed her belief that the creations should be visible on a public platform since the family had been involved in crafting and trading for decades past.

Ashifa happily noted that collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Maldives (WEAM) provided her with an additional opportunity to

increase the scope of her business.

How long does it take to weave one Kasabu?

“Weaving one Hiru takes about three days”, enthused Asifa.

“If I balance other household activities, it takes a long time. In my house, my mother and the other family members are completely dedicated [to the work].

“It takes a minimum of 15 days to complete a Kasab. If I do this alone, it can take even up to a month’s time”.

What are the different techniques of weaving Kasab?

“There are about ten techniques of Kasabu weaving.”

“New designs can also be created if this work is to be pursued in earnest”, described Ashifa.

“This includes designs for commoners, middle-class folk and those favoured by more affluent folk. In olden times higher classes would adorn their dresses with Badhalaa Hiru while ordinary folk would wear Baagiyaa”.

What obstacles do you face within your career?

“Lack of access to materials is a key difficulty as I need to import the

necessary items from abroad”, said Ashiya.

“In addition to this, selling a product can also pose challenges, since the traditional dress is not one that is usually worn in day to day life”.

However, she adds, “If I am unable to sell it on the desired date, I can usually make a decent profit during the upcoming season”.

Weaving a prosperous crafting career “This a good craft to pursue, since there’s considerable demand from tourists visiting the country”, Ashifa adamantly claims.

“The Maldivian traditional dress is beautiful, and the demand is not only limited to culturally celebrated dates. There are several chances to market to tourists”.

For the future though, she would like to see more young people taking interest in her line of work, and perhaps carrying it on on a wider scale.

“Some may believe only old people do this sort of work; and claim it is strange when young people take it up - but that is not true at all”.

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Lemongrass Athif at the root

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Nowadays, finding a Maldivian who has never been to a Lemongrass restaurant would be next to impossible.

Without a doubt, Lemongrass is one of the most popular eateries in Male’ City, and the team behind it has enjoyed a remarkable success story. A venture that started out with nothing but strong determination, has grown into a booming business with five outlets in the capital city alone. Behind this prosperous chain, which has revolutionised the Maldivian food industry, is the Founder and Managing Director of Lemongrass Abdulla Athif.

Lemongrass opened its doors to the public 19 years ago, with a vision of providing qualty, memorable dining experiences in Male’. Armed with F&B expertise gained during his tenure at various resorts, Athif unveiled the first restaurant in the bustling capital city.

Athif shed light on the factors crucial to keep a restaurant running smoothly in the long run.

Athif’s recipe for success lists three uncompromisable ingredients; topnotch services, delicious servings and a hygienic environment.

The biggest accomplishment for any eatery is to be favoured and beloved by the public, and this certainly holds true for

Lemongrass. Since the chain entered the restaurant scene it has gained rapid popularity as a local brand in the F&B industry, cementing its status as a favourite among locals and foreigners alike.

The founder of the restaurant confidently assures readers that Lemongrass’ most noteworthy achievement is the overwhelming response it has continuously received from loyal, returning customers. Passionately insisting that the restaurant always aims to provide the best possible services to customers, he attributed Lemongrass’ success over the past two decades, a ‘millennium’ in the F&B world, to this pivotal point.

The successful businessman further spoke of the particular challenges concerning the operations behind an F&B business, highlighting that the most difficult task was finding candidates that met the required experience and skill set. According to Athif, finding trained locals proved to be the most challenging.

Currently, Lemongrass employs 290 talented individuals across their five outlets, who serve up unparalleled dishes with sincere devotion.

In the future, Lemongrass plans to open a branch in Hulhumale’, and in doing so, bring their appetizing offerings to the City of Youth.

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Athif’s recipe for success lists three uncompromisable ingredients; topnotch services, delicious servings and a hygienic environment.

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Naabe’s journey to commercial success A business legend

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Unravelling the inner workings of Malla Ahmed Naasir, Founder of Lily Group

As he approaches his mid-sixties, Malla Ahmed Naasir, fondly known as Naabe, still shows no markings of slowing pace. As the founder of the widely successful Lily Group, he still eagerly leads and participates in the day to day operations. A business legend in every right, Naabe's position at the very top remained constant, even as those beside him faded into bankruptcy and commercial irrelevance.

Naabe's role in the formation of 'Lily Group' is such that he is the core the entire company stems from, it was his business strategies that led the collective to prosperity and his leadership that ensures its continued growth.

All the ups and downs, the struggles faced by Naabe in his journey to success over the course of the last 35 years would most certainly serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.

This writer attempts to navigate the cogs and gears driving the man behind virtually unparallelled commercial triumphs, in a thenuntested and ever-precarious market.

When and how did Lily business first come into being?

Lily was founded in 1982. It was a business that started out at home. We named the shop 'Friend',

after my father's house, 'Friendly Cottage'.

The following year, 1983, we imported goods and started selling them from the shop.

We brought over 80 cases of tea leaves from Sri Lanka. This happened amidst World War II, and since we were the only ones stocking tea, it brought a lot of profit.

From those earnings, we opened a shop called Lily in 1984, focusing on the sale of food items. The name ‘Lily’ was passed on to all the shops that came after.

We rented the premises from the owner, 'Koligey' Nasira.

After that, Lily Enterprises, Lily Shipping, Lily Beach, Lily Hotels, Lily F&B, Lily International and Hideaway eventually came into existence.

How did you expand your business to the booming success it is today?

At the time, the resort business had just come into being. There were about 15 resorts operating in Maldives but even fewer suppliers.

We began to import canned goods and supply them to the properties.

The demand grew to be so high, we formed a separate company and expanded our business.

So, we moved into the F&B sector in the year 2000. As we speak, some of our [company's] ferries are journeying through various resorts [supplying goods]. We have acquired our own resorts as well. We even own 50 percent of shares from within Apollo company, which specialises in the

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import of construction materials.

Additionally, we operate several shops in Addu City.

Who was Naabe before Lily?

What did you pursue prior to this business?

In 1982, I got married for the second time and we are together even today. My wife had a child from a different marriage when I married her. So, altogether, I now have three children.

If you had to attribute all of

After completing school, I joined the civil service in 1974. Then I ventured into seafaring.

your success to one factor, what

Once I returned, I started working for a private business. In those days, a government secretary received a basic salary of MVR 250. Hence, I was about to join the civil service when a private businessman just happened to offer me MVR 350 to work for him. And so I did.

I believe it is the shared hard work of everyone involved, together. It is friendships that kept this going.

The honesty with which we all worked in earning the trust of our customers is what brought us this far.

As a youth, what sort of career did you envision yourself building?

I was performing very well in school when my parents were forced to remove me as they could not afford the fees. At first, I attended Aaliyaa School. Afterwards, I attempted to enrol myself in Majeedhiyya but although everything had been set for my admission, plans fell through as we were unable to fulfil all of the school's requirements. Having to abruptly halt my education like that really affected me. However, even then, I convinced myself to move ahead doing whatever work I was able to do.

Delving into more personal matters, when did you decide to settle down and start a family?

My first marriage was in 1975 and lasted about two years. We have one child together.

would it be?

When did Lily Group face its biggest obstacles to date?

In shaping your corporation, did you 'cut your losses' or abandon any businesses?

No, I did not close any of the businesses that I had started, rather, I kept on improving them.

By 2008, I owned 10 ships. Still, as they did not allow for vessels older than 25 years to be docked at Indian harbours, we faced a lot of difficulties. As the ships we had were somewhat old, we started to slowly sell them off.

At this time, we are operating chartered ships. Although we were only importing roughly 100 containers per month in 1990, we've now grown to bring as many as 4000 containers each month.

Some point into the business, a ban preventing those who could not acquire dollars within the Maldives from importing goods into the country, came into effect.

This caused us to face a lot of difficulties. Nevertheless, (Canary) Abdul Sattar, owner of 'Safari Tours' helped us overcome the struggle.

Thankfully, the issue was soon resolved.

In 1993, we began seafaring, armed with only two ships. Our ship, 'Lilymoo' sank on its second voyage, along with all the goods we had loaded onto it. Due to our inexperience at the time, the ship had not been insured, we were not as aware of the ways businesses work. Our loss amounted to approximately MVR 70 million.

The next biggest challenge we faced came around 2008, at the time when the whole world went through an economic crisis.

The next biggest challenge we faced came around 2008, at the time when the whole world went through an economic crisis.

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That's certainly impressive.

How far would you say your initial investment has increased?

I started the business with about MVR 200,000, at present, just our Lily Shops are worth millions.

Building a business is timeconsuming, taxing work. How does family, and spending time with them, factor in your life?

I do dedicate a lot of time to my family.

I clock into office in the morning and return home by 2:30 in the afternoon. I spend time with family until about 5:00 in the evening, at which time I head back to work.

At night, I used to play games like carrom. These days, I exercise and wake up early to play badminton.

I wrap things up by 7:00 in the morning, and am at office by 9:00 am. Right now, I exercise and go to play badminton early morning every day.

The greatest success one can achieve in life is good health.

The ability to successfully conduct business at my age is an as incredible achievement as it is to reach this point of success with our business.

I've been following this routine for nearly 20-25 years now.

Honestly, I was always a sports fan. I've tried my hand at pretty much every sport from Cricket to Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis and even some local sports like Mandi, Suvaa and Hiri.

In fact, Lily regularly sponsors a range of sports events.

What does the future hold for Lily Group of Companies?

I just want to see how far we can progress as a business. We will move forward, as we have done, through legal forms of business.

You've achieved so much over the course of your career. What would you describe as the biggest form of success in life?

The greatest success one can achieve in life is good health. The

ability to successfully conduct business at my age is an as incredible achievement as it is to reach this point of success with our business.

So you have it, hard work, personal happiness and health all factor in the longevity of one’s business career. Take it from a persona that continues to inspire and push boundaries - the unforgettable and undeniable Malla Ahmed Naasir.

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Ooredoo Second mobile telecom licensee in the Maldives

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At a time when Maldivians were resigned to paying a staggering MVR 500 per SIM card, the telecom giant whirled in with affordable rates and a full commitment to introducing the newest services available in the industry to the tiny island nation.

The telecommunications sector of the Maldives was in for an unprecedented revolution when Ooredoo, known then as Wataniya Telecom Maldives, took the country by storm in August 2005. At a time when Maldivians were resigned to paying a staggering MVR 500 per SIM card, the telecom giant whirled in with affordable rates and a full commitment to introducing the newest services available in the industry to the tiny island nation.

The company, which would later be rebranded to Ooredoo Maldives in December 2013, commenced its efforts to digitalize the Maldives early on. Within just a year of being licensed, it successfully provided network connections to 60 percent of the population, cultivating a positive reputation and yet, it was only the tip of the iceberg of advancements the company would bring about.

Although Ooredoo is the second mobile telecom licensee in the Maldives, the firm has enjoyed many firsts over the past 14 years.

Ooredoo was the first to introduce 3G and 4G, the first to connect the archipelago with a nationwide 4G+ network via submarine cable, and now it is gearing up to bring the benefits of 5G to Maldivians.

The company’s Qatar-based parent Ooredoo Group made history in May 2018 by becoming the first operator to launch 5G in the world.

Following this milestone, the

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Ooredoo has elevated the Maldives to greater heights,

merging the everyday lives of people with the ever-evolving modern world.

Maldivian branch gave a taste of the highly anticipated service at the annual Ooredoo Color Run in November 2018, wowing thousands with a stunning demonstration of never-before-seen internet speeds of 1.8 Gbps.

While Ooredoo Maldives is yet to reveal a date to launch the 5G network, it became the first company of Ooredoo Group, out of the many branches operating in Asia, the Middle-East and North Africa, to receive the 5G spectrum license in February 2018. As techloving Maldivians eagerly await the new service, they can nonetheless rest assured that Ooredoo would always, without fail, make the newest innovations fresh off the global ICT market readily available across the archipelago.

In line with Ooredoo’s aim of establishing a Digital Maldives, the telecom giant has made several notable advancements in the sector. One such example is the ‘’Smart Campus’, a digital interactive classroom where students and teachers can connect from anywhere across the country, thus providing a solution for

students hailing from the atolls who, otherwise, have little choice but to migrate to the capital city of Male’. Ooredoo extended digital classrooms to the prisons as well, providing inmates with the chance to study courses offered by Male’ colleges, thereby easing societal reintegration.

Ooredoo also offers special services to businesses and corporations, such as the handy ‘Work Group’, which allows employees within a firm to make calls or send texts free of charge. With its Digital Resorts Portfolio especially curated for Maldivian resorts, providing cloudbased solutions for both employees and clients, Ooredoo has further edged Maldives’ ever evolving tourism sector towards the digital world.

4G+ network instead of traditional channels.

The contributions of Ooredoo to Maldivian society further shine with the numerous initiatives under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

One of the most prominent drives Ooredoo recently conducted was NIRU, the first accelerator program in the Maldives. The 12week program gave businesses and young entrepreneurs a golden opportunity to promote and develop their innovations and creations on the global arena.

Among other such innovative platforms and mobile applications are the ‘My Ooredoo’ app, the digital engagement platform ‘Ooredoo Next’, ‘Magey Plan’ which allows customers to customize mobile plans, and the mobile wallet service ‘m-Faisaa’. The user-friendly services were quick to gain popularity, bringing smart solutions to customer fingertips, and with Ooredoo’s ongoing work to expand the services, the company’s customer base continues to grow.

Expanding its CSR reach, Ooredoo also launched the ‘Smart City’ project in Hulhumale’, a collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The project aims to ensure that the new technological advances and smart solutions established in Hulhumale’, which is being developed as a ‘smart city’, would be inclusive and accessible to every resident of the reclaimed suburb. Among their numerous community empowerment efforts include a ‘Digital Literacy Program for Seniors’, aimed at familiarizing the ageing population with modern technolog y.

The ambitious company is meeting 2019 head-on in its technological endeavors as well. Some of its most notable accomplishments include the introduction of e-SIMs to the Maldives, a virtually embedded equivalent of the currently used plastic SIM card, which enables Ooredoo customers to integrate up to nine different numbers on a single device. Ooredoo also rolled out HD Voice, a service enabled through Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) Services, via which customers can make calls over the company's

In its mission “to provide worldclass, innovative communication products and services” to achieve its vision of “enriching people’s lives”, Ooredoo has elevated the Maldives to greater heights, merging the everyday lives of people with the ever-evolving modern world. As the role of technology increases in the area of socioeconomic development, Ooredoo is resolute in advancing the digital industry, to ensure brighter tomorrows for the people of Maldives with more innovative technologies.

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Al Shaali Marine Pioneering manufacturer of fibreglass boats and yachts in the Middle-East.

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Although some boatyards opt for ordinary cranes to launch their vessels, Al Shaali Marine uses only boat hoists (trowel lifts) and specialised machinery for the task

A joint venture deal between Al Shaali Marine Dubai and Coastline Investments Pvt Ltd in December 2006 led to the establishment of Al Shaali Marine Maldives Pvt Ltd, the boat building firm that swiftly rose to the top tiers of the local marine industry.

Possessing a strong, positive reputation that culminated from a combination of top quality delivery and customer satisfaction, Al Shaali Marine Maldives follows in the footsteps of its UAE-based parent company, itself hailed as the pioneering manufacturer of fibreglass boats and yachts in the Middle-East.

The company is the ultimate go-to for all marine vessel-related needs.

The capable teams behind Al Shaali Marine craft every type of vessel in the Maldives, from diving boats and specially-made watercraft for resorts, to speedboat ferries and water sports equipment.

Along with flexible rates, clients can also place orders for customised vessels.

Al Shaali Marine’s impressive repertoire is further fleshed out with services such as hull and engine repairs, welding fabrication, seat manufacture, interior and exterior design of vessels, and paint jobs.

It maintains the quality of its

The company is the ultimate go-to for all marine vesselrelated needs.

crafts by utilising the latest stateof-the-art resources and materials available on the international market.

“Although some boatyards opt for ordinary cranes to launch their vessels, Al Shaali Marine uses only boat hoists (trowel lifts) and specialised machinery for the task”, said an official of the company, noting that the use of ordinary machinery could cause damage to the vessels.

As a result of its unyielding efforts, Al Shaali Marine was consecutively conferred the accolades of ‘Best Production’ and ‘Dockyard/ Slipway of the Year’ at the 2017 and 2018 Maldives Boating Awards. The company was also awarded ‘Best Boat Design of the Year’ in 2017.

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Apollo a reliable importer and distributor of construction materials.

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Towering above the rest; Apollo takes off into Maldives’ real estate market

Apollo Holdings Pvt Ltd has made great strides since establishing its first retail outlet in 1998, earning a nation-wide reputation as a reliable importer and distributor of construction materials.

Today, the company’s proudest ongoing project is Apollo Towers, a premium real estate project valued at MVR 200 million and spanning a plot of 121,397 square feet in the Greater Male’ region.

Located on the northwest coast of Hulhumale’, the towers climbing toward the skies represent Apollo’s launch into the bustling real estate industry of Maldives.

In an exclusive interview, Apollo’s Accountant Manager Ali Habeeb described the facilities available for the future tenants of the 97 residential units.

He revealed an impressive list including a children’s play area, a gym, jogging tracks, swimming pools, a multi-purpose hall and a parking area. The towers, one of which has nine storeys while the other has ten, will both be installed with elevators spacious enough to transport patients on stretchers.

The units themselves are categorized into semi-deluxe and luxury apartments, with the latter boasting a sea view and extra space.

The ground floor and the first

floor are allocated for commercial purposes with all residential units built on the upper floors.

The Accountant Manager disclosed that the Apollo Holdings real estate project was 60 percent completed and would be ready for occupancy in September 2019.

The Accountant Manager disclosed that the Apollo Holdings real estate project was 60 percent completed and would be ready for occupancy in September 2019.

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Apollo Holdings is set to lease out the apartments at competitive rates with consideration to the lowest market prices for holdings of similar sizes.

One-room apartments will be priced starting at MVR 1.1 million, two-room apartments will range from MVR 2.2 and 2.3 million and rates for three-room apartments will differ according to type with semi-deluxe apartments costing MVR 3.4 million while luxury apartments are to be marketed at MVR 5.4 million.

Prospective tenants can claim ownership after crediting 20 percent of the total price as a downpayment. The company also allows for the purchase of outlets through banks via asset loans and other such financing schemes.

According to the Accountant Manager, 90 percent of the semi deluxe apartments and 20-30 percent of the apartments already have prospective tenants who have begun making payments.

Habeeb revealed that prospective buyers are able to have their chosen apartments inspected by an engineer or technician to verify standards, affirming the importance Apollo Holdings assigned to quality management and maintenance.

Overall, Habeeb acclaimed Apollo Towers as being affordable and well equipped.

Although the towers nearing completion in Hulhumale have been crowned by the public as the crème de la crème of Apollo’s initiatives, the company is simultaneously managing three real estate projects in the capital, revealing its dedication to making a name in Maldivian real estate.

Apollo Holdings operates major retail outlets in Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll, Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Thilafushi, Kaafu Atoll Indeed, perhaps the best is yet to be seen.

In addition to the company's ambitious forays into the real estate industry, Apollo has committed to investing in new opportunities in fresh lines of businesses since the year 2008. Chief among these investments are a water tank production plant and a plastic bag production plant, both of which brought the company considerable fame.

Apollo Holdings operates major retail outlets in Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll, Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Thilafushi, Kaafu Atoll.

On top of this, Apollo shores up its position by offering a comprehensive portfolio of services including heavy equipment rentals,

cargo storage for third parties, stevedoring services, boat hires and offshore delivery services.

After a two-decade involvement in the field and establishing itself for the aforementioned services, the primary source of recognition for Apollo Holdings is, unsurprisingly, the distribution of top-notch construction materials across Maldives.

However, the company’s ventures into real estate, coupled with its skill in attaining and maintaining enviable market positions could very well mean that Apollo Holdings Pvt Ltd will become known for a wider range of business activities in the foreseeable future.

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Business tips

Paving the road to success

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Consult skilled In order for executives to

experts

important measure a company can take to ensure high standards of productivity is to guarantee all rights accorded to employees by the law.

Often, small and medium-sized enterprises make the grave mistake of neglecting to consult with specialized professionals, prior to finalising key business decisions.

This includes, but is not limited to, setting adequate working hours, providing a safe and healthy working environment as well as crediting their wages in due time.

steer a business towards further prosperity they are required to manage operations meticulously even after the momentous task of setting up the company.

The following are crucial points company heads are advised to consider.

Regardless of size or industry, these factors remain intrinsically

Although making contact is not always easy, attaining counsel from individuals with a more thorough understanding of the industry as well as years of experience, is paramount. To name a few, placing lawyers, accountants and tax advisors on payroll, is an essential move for any business.

Dismiss indolent workers

linked to one’s overall business success.

Employees that are inefficient at work, can potentially affect overall service quality, may create internal conflicts or cause a plethora of other problems that serve to threaten the company’s general performance.

Hence, in the event that a disciplinary or motivational approach fails to produce results, it is in the best interest of any company to dismiss such employees from its workforce.

Prioritize employee welfare The truth of the matter is, a distressed and overburdened workforce will fail to perform at full productive capacity. The most

Appreciate efficient workers Regardless of size, the loss of a good employee is a loss to any business.

Unfortunately, typical employers are known to dedicate considerably less time and effort to appreciate, motivate and encourage efficient workers, than deserved. Going above and beyond the call of duty is critical in retaining productive workers, who are perhaps the most crucial asset to any company.

Maintain sufficient cash flow

The responsibility of proper financial management falls heavily on the shoulders of business proprietors. Managers must ensure that the amount of cash flow in the company is adequate in covering day to day expenses, as well as overheads.

This is critical not only to daily operations, but also to facilitate future growth and progress.

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Monitor financial status thoroughly The financial health of a company, including changes in sales, revenue and profit, must be continually and fastidiously monitored.

Hand to hand with the aforementioned topic, is knowing where a company stands in terms of profitability, in order to streamline the decision-making process and aid efficient financial management.

Identify managerial issues

Identifying any process, behaviour or factor in the managerial hierarchy, that may cause unnecessary delays or inconveniences, is of critical importance, particularly for fledgeling businesses.

Approximately 90 percent of the problems faced by companies

or firms, even more so for startups, are attributed to inefficient management strategies. If things are not going to plan or are failing to meet expectations, it is time to take a closer look at possible issues in the inner workings of the company.

Practice decisiveness Decisiveness is a key characteristic that must be instilled within anyone holding a managerial level position in a company.

A simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will suffice in several situations, provided that the decision maker is well informed, has consulted all relevant stakeholders and contemplated the risks accordingly.

Listen to customer input

Customer feedback, complaint and compliment alike, is the most

telling factor that can be used to evaluate a product or service.

Aspects customers are dissatisfied with must be rectified or omitted as soon as possible while qualities that receive praise should be maximized and highlighted.

If upon consideration, regular collection and review of consumer input can be expected to yield favourable results, the reflective changes must be expedited.

Balance transparency and confidentiality

Transparency is key in helping a business establish trust with its partners, customers and employees.

However, if revealing a particular piece of information may harm operations, it is advisable to keep it confidential. Capable managers must be tasked with maintaining the delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality.

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Remax An Online Success Story

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Times have changed. These days, building a start-up business no longer means one needs to acquire a large office space.

As the internet has connected the entire world, it has connected the dispersed islands of Maldives and with that, online businesses are moving full steam ahead, growing at a much faster speed than ever before.

Perhaps the most ideal example of this lies in the story of Mohamed Shameez.

Since he began his small online shop with a mere MVR 50,000 only 10 years ago, the company has expanded its role to being a brand distributor reportedly worth a whopping MVR 2 million.

According to Shameez, starting a business with a small capital investment is the way to go, that is if one follows business regulations when establishing an online outlet.

“I bought branded items from places like Bangkok and did business ten years ago. Even then, I was someone who loved branded items a lot. I wanted customers to be satisfied with any of the products that I was selling.” said Shameez "So, I brought brands like Sony, Remax and JBL. Since I have been around in the music industry a little bit, I have some background on sound systems and things. So I bring items related to that even.”

However, it all truly began when Shameez began putting up ads on Ibay. He then created a Facebook page for Remax, which rose in popularity in a short frame of time, a success he credits to the quality of his products as well as competitive pricing.

N AM E M OHAM ED SHAM EEZ

BUSIN ESS R EM AX BR AN D SHOP

Although the business was initially driven by retail purchases made from wholesalers located in commercial hubs like Bangkok, the company soon moved on to buying goods directly from factories.

Remax is the first of Shameez’s soon-to-grow targeted brand over 3000 products. This includes electronics, shirts, bags and so much more.

The decision to specialize, in his words, was made because “it was making the most in sales, back when I was selling a variety of brands.”

Afterwards, the businessman attempted to open a showroom. He revealed that about MVR 400, 000

was spent on this, excluding the goods in the shop.

How were you conducting online business? On which platforms?

At first, I brought various goods and started selling them on Ibay.

Just goods from different brands.

For instance products such as school bags. Afterwards, once I realized that Remax was a good and authentic brand, I created a dedicated Facebook page, just to sell Remax products. One and a half years later, I formed a partnership directly with the company. One thing I noticed is that it is not difficult to do business even if you do not have a physical shop.

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So why did you open a shop after doing business online?

Online is a good way to start off.

Nevertheless, business will improve once a shop is open. After all, a person that does not know of the Remax brand may perhaps wander into the shop. Customers will see other products in addition to the one they are buying. In contrast, those who shop online will only look at the item they specifically want.

We also sell humidifiers, mosquito killer and water bottles. Those who venture into the shop are likely to browse more products and possibly purchase more.

Do you think there are good opportunities for online businesses in Maldives?

At first, Remax was not the only brand I was selling. I also brought goods from brands like JBL,Marshall, Boss and Sony. I was working to sell quality products at affordable prices with a small mark up. When I began selling online, the goal was not to receive any complaints about the products that I was putting out on the market.

That was what I was doing when I came across Remax brand. As you noted, this started out online.

That's how it expanded as well.

We still market and sell products online despite not having a shop.

Are there any obstacles faced by online businesses in particular?

There are some biggest problem of fake products market. However, allows customers

obstacles. The is the number that flood the having a shop to verify if the

product is original. They can check the standard of the product. People can trust us because we have a shop. For example, even though its a relatively new brand to Maldives, once we started selling Remax products here, fake ones began to appear as well. The fake ones are sold at really low prices from places such as Bangkok’s Chinatown Market.

These inauthentic products are of very low quality and have a tendency to break easily. This presents quite the challenge for online shops that sell electronics products in Maldives.

Would you say there are opportunities for online business to thrive in the Maldives?

Those who pursue online businesses typically rely on goods that are delivered in a box. They purchase three to four boxes and escape having to pay taxes to Customs. Instead, I urge online businesses to register as any other retail businesses and pay all applicable taxes. Otherwise, you may become liable for a lot of unpleasant consequences. I do not

support any other kind of online businesses. People with shops pay import duty and freight fees to bring their goods into the country.

They also pay GST. At present, those with online businesses are not required to pay any such fees.

What is the advantage of owning and operating an online business?

Online business generates an excellent revenue system. I enjoyed it as I would a regular job. Some of the products sell very fast, others take a long time.

Are people sufficiently aware of online businesses?

Maldivians are not as aware of it.

They always go for the price. Even though products purchased online are often cheaper, product quality can be very low and sometimes people end up purchasing fake products.

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Real Estate

The new titan in development

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As companies old and new unveil their flats and open bookings, some members of the public believe that the exponential rise in commercial housing, in addition to the government’s social housing initiatives, would exacerbate the prolonged housing crisis in the Maldives.

Compared to a decade ago, a glance at Hulhumale’ today brings to attention the prevalence of the real estate industry. Once almost bare and dotted by a few rows of low-lying buildings that marked the growing saplings of a newly populated island, the reclaimed suburb now proudly features tall, sleek towers filled with bustling families, and several more complexes are on the rise.

The recent incline in commercial housing projects is further propagated by the influx of new companies investing in this budding sector. A look at Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s website shows a long list of private firms authorised to develop and sell housing complexes, including veterans such as Amin Buildware, Batch Construction, Damas Company, Ensis Fisheries, FW Construction and Rainbow Enterprises.

As companies old and new unveil their flats and open bookings, some members of the public believe that the exponential rise in commercial housing, in addition to the government’s social housing initiatives, would exacerbate the prolonged housing crisis in the Maldives. However, others counter

that the commercial real estate industry can not only provide solutions for reasonably affluent families in need of housing, but also identify persons most in need of shelter, thus facilitating solutions for the latter as well.

Another concern raised is the fear of “excess supply” as an increasing number of firms look to the real estate field, amidst the ongoing development of thousands of flats in Hulhumale’.

In response to this issue, Aqua Vita, which opened bookings in late 2018 for its 14-storey upscale apartment complex featuring 104 flats, asserted the presence of considerable demand for luxury housing in the Maldives. While Aqua Vita expressed confidence that sales were unlikely to be affected even if the real estate market grew further saturated, the company cautioned that prices may drop drastically in the long run, should commercial housing expand at its current rate.

Ensis Fisheries also concurred on the stance that commercial real estate remained highly sought after. The company shared that, upon opening bookings for the 94-apartment complex

it is currently developing in Hulhumale’, Ensis had received wide-spread public support.

The fact that real estate is set to enjoy a bright future in the commerce sector of Maldives is a claim further backed by Batch Construction, which revealed that 80 percent of the 70-apartment complex it commenced developing in 2018 had already been purchased.

Noting that the highest sales were for 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, the company’s Managing Director Mohamed Saeed stated that there was room for re-sales in the coming years as well.

“As families grow, those living in single-room apartments will want to move to larger ones, selling off the previous one,'' he elaborated.

Despite the recent prosperity experienced by real estate businesses, Saeed identified the tax range in the current market as varying between MVR 300,000 600,000 and asserted the need to lower taxes for those that purchase flats from private developers.

Assuring that housing prices can be lowered by decreasing the taxes levied on construction materials and housing acquisition, he stated, “It’s the same customers. Those who can afford the housing will definitely seek to make a purchase”.

“We need a good tax policy to facilitate that”.

With business people across the Maldives all in agreement, evidence seems fairly conclusive that property is one of the best areas for investment. However in business, timing is everything - certainly at present, real estate offers soaring potential for profit and returns to those wise enough to dip their toes in it!

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

Management styles for Modern work force The management theory

TIPS

WORDS

PH OT O

KIR UBAKAR AM J STOCK PHOTO

87

The management theory has evolved very strongly near about half century back. The scholars such as F.W. Taylor, Henry Fayol, Peter Drucker, have contributed a lot to the subject of management.

Their idea shows a path to the business organisation for their effective management in reaching their objectives. But the Management styles implemented by them will get affected by more factors, hence there is no such a standard best management style suitable for all the organisation.

The present scenario business world has changed in terms of size, customer approach, social reach, technological advancement in production and etc.

To meet the changing needs and demands of business organisation the old concepts of management have to be changed now. The manager has to adopt the best management style based on his organisation environment, work force and the industry changes where the organisation belongs to.

It is apparent that no manager can stick with one particular style forever in a particular organisation.

Because of the changing needs of modern business organisation.

So the modern manager has to be capable of following all of the above styles of management. With the ability to adopt one of the style as per the mission the organisation is currently involved. So it is adoptive style of leadership that will be best suited for the modern work force environment.

All the Managers should have a clear vision for their organisation and the goals to be achieved to reach the vision. Must have passion for the organization along with the ability to inspire trust among the work force. And also making sure that everyone in the group believes in the organization visions and they are excited about it.

The popular modern management styles are Directive

likely moves individuals towards a new set of shared visions and goals.

Authoritative

one who marshals others towards the organisational vision

Affiliative

signify the collaboration and harmony among the team by strengthening the communication between the work force

Participative

one who seeks consensus achieved through participation

Coaching

shows importance to improve their performance align team members personal goal into organizational goal.

All of the above styles of management have its own merits and demerits .

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

COMPANY LISTING

Manta Aviation Pvt Ltd 960 331 9911

Contact

E-mail

info@mantaair.mv

E-mail

Website

www.mantaair.mv

Website

Contact

960 3013000

Contact

960 3329999

E-mail

sales @ flyme .mv

E-mail

sales@mawc.com.mv

Website

www.flyme.mv

Website

www.mawc.com.mv

Flyme

ALUMINIUM AND GLASS FABRICATION

Yes Maldives

Coca Cola

Contact

960 3329999 www.coca-cola.com

Male Aerated Water Company

A VIATION S ERVICE

Inner Maldives

B OAT B UILDERS

Al Shaali Marine

Contact

960 3320325

Contact

960 3006886

Contact

960 7998590

E-mail

info@yesmaldives.com.mv

E-mail

info@innermaldives.com

E-mail

info@asmarinemaldives.com

Website

www.yesmaldives.com.mv

Website

www.innermaldives.com

Website

www.asmarinemaldives.com

Bison Maldives

Gulf Craft

Contact

960 3315878

Contact

E-mail

info@bison.com.mv

E-mail

terry.stamatakos @ gulfcraft.inc.com

Website

www.bison.com.mv

Website

www.gulfcraftinc.com

B AKERY / C AFÉ

960 6640280

Fantasy Bakery A VIATION & TICKETING

Island Aviation Services Limited

Contact

960 3340905

E-mail

bakersfantasy@fantasy.com.mv

Website

www.fantasy.com.mv

City Investments

B USINESS S UPPORT & SUPPLIES

Procure Plus

Contact

960 3335566

Contact

960 3342862

Contact

960 3326220

E-mail

sales@iasl.aero

E-mail

info@city.com.mv

E-mail

sales@procuremaldives.com

Website

www.maldivian.aero

Website

www.city.com.mv

Website

www.procuremaldives.com

Trans Maldivian Airways

Copier Plus

Contact

960 331 5201

Contact

960 3312121

E-mail

info@transmaldivian.com

E-mail

info@copierplus.com.mv

Website

www.transmaldivian.com

Website

www.copierplus.com.mv

BEVERAGES

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89

Novelty Printers & Publishers

Nalahiya Trading Pvt Ltd

Villa College

Contact

960 3318844

Contact

960 3331999

Contact

960 3303200

E-mail

sales.printers@novelty.com.mv

E-mail

info@nalahiyatrading.com

E-mail

info@villacollege.edu.mv

Website

www.novelty.com.mv

Website

www.nalahiyatrading.com

Website

www.villacollege.edu.mv

Contact

960 3322222

Contact

960 3317878

Contact

960 3022000

E-mail

info@thinkmaldives.com

E-mail

info@rcc.com.mv

E-mail

info@islanderseducation.com

Website

www.think.com.mv

Website

www.rcc.com.mv

Website

www.islanders.education.com

Think

Rasheed Carpentry & Construction

Blak Pvt. Ltd

Riyan Pvt Ltd

Contact

960 7756555

Contact

960 3315049

E-mail

create@blak.mv

E-mail

info@riyan.com.mv

Website

www.blak.mv

Website

www.riyan.com.mv

Alia Investments C ONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTORS

AIMA Construction Company Pvt Ltd

Islanders Education

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

Renewable Energy Maldives

Contact

960 3323564

Contact

E-mail

info@aliamaldives.com

E-mail

info@renewableenergymaldives.com.mv

Website

www.aliamaldives.com

Website

www.renewableenergymaldives.com.mv

Amin Construction

960 3337734

Avi Technologies

Contact

960 3318181

Contact

960 3324369

Contact

960 3301022 / 960 9 911520

E-mail

admin@aima.com.mv

E-mail

projects@amin.com.mv

E-mail

info@avitech.com.mv

Website

aima.com.mv

Website

http://www.amin.com.mv/

Website

www.avitech.com.mv

W.CONSTRUCTION

Maldives structural Products

Contact

960 3304669

Contact

960 3337720

E-mail

admin@wconstruction.com.mv

E-mail

msroof@dhivehinet.net.mv

Website

www.wconstruction.com.mv

Website

www.msp.com.mv

Jaah Pvt. Ltd

MITTS

F&B SUPPILERS

Happy Market

Contact

960 3329988

Contact

960 3341581

Contact

960 3313523

E-mail

info@jaah.mv

E-mail

info@mitts.com.mv

E-mail

info@happymarket.com.mv

Website

www. jaah.mv

Website

http://www.mitts.com.mv

Website

www.happyymarket.com.mv

Lily International

Maldives Transport & Contracting Company Contact

960 3326822

Contact

960 3332929

E-mail

info@mtcc.com.mv

E-mail

info@lily-international.com

Website

www.mtcc.mv

Website

www.lilly-international.com

EDUCATION

C om p a ny Listin g Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

Seagull Group

Housing Development Finance Coporation

Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company

Contact

960 3323617 / 960 3 322019

Contact

960 3334666

Contact

960 3323932

E-mail

info@seagullmaldives.com

E-mail

info@hdfc.com.mv

E-mail

info@mifco.com.mv

Website

www.seagullmaldives.com

Website

www.hdfc.com.mv

Website

www.mifco.com.mv

Simdi Company Pvt Ltd

Maldives Finance Leasing Company

Contact

960 3334400

Contact

960 3315606

E-mail

info@simdi.com

E-mail

info@mflc.com.mv

Website

www.simdi.com/

Website

www.mflc.com.mv

United Food Suppliers Pvt Ltd

Maldives Islamic Bank

F OOD C ATERING

South Investments

Contact

960 330 0666

Contact

960 3325555

Contact

960 3304747

E-mail

info@ufs.com.mv

E-mail

info@mib.com.mv

E-mail

catering@south.mv

Website

www.ufs.com.mv

Website

www.mib.com.mv

Website

www.south.mv

Best Buy Maldives Pvt Ltd

State Bank of India

Maldives Inflight Catering

Contact

960 3320850

Contact

960 3312111

Contact

960 3325084

E-mail

hello@bb-mld.com

E-mail

sbimale@statebank.com

E-mail

catering@mic.com.mv

Website

www.bb-mld.com

Website

mv.statebank

Website

www.mic.com.mv

Cosmopolitan

Mauritious Commercial Bank

Contact

960 3310477

Contact

960 3305656

E-mail

info@cosmopolitan.com.mv

E-mail

contact@mcbmaldives.com

Website

www.cosmopolitan.com.mv

Website

www.mcbmaldives.com/en/

The Hawks

CBM FINANCIAL SERVICES

F UEL S UPPLIES

Contact

960 3332668

Contact

960 3340949

E-mail

info@cbmmv.com

E-mail

info@thehawks.biz

Website

www.cbmmv.com

Website

www.thehawks.biz

Bank of Maldives

Fuel Supplies Maldives

Contact

960 3330200

Contact

960 3336655

E-mail

info@bml.com.mv

E-mail

info@fuelmaldives.net

Website

www.bankofmaldives.com.mv

Website

www.fuelmaldives.com

Habib Bank

FISHERIES

Ensis Fisheries

Contact

960 3353300

Contact

960 3356677

E-mail

customercare.maldives@hbl.com

E-mail

info@ensisgroup.com

Website

www.hbl.com

Website

www.ensisgroup.com

FURNITURES

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91

Muni Enterprises Pvt Ltd

TEP Construction

ILAA Maldives

Contact

960 3331512

Contact

960 3326768

Contact

960 3355751

E-mail

info@muni.com.mv

E-mail

info@tep.com.mv

E-mail

info@ilaamladives.com

Website

www.munihomecare.com

Website

www.tep.com.mv

Website

www.ilaamaldives.com

Rainbow Enterprises

Coastline

Contact

960 3340400

Contact

960 3008211

E-mail

sales@rainbow.com.mv

E-mail

info@coastlinegroup.com.mv

Website

www.rainbow.com.mv

Website

www.coastlinegroup.com.mv

Sun Front

Page Hardware

HOSPITALITY AND LOGISTICS

FedEx-Maldives

Contact

960 3313313

Contact

960 3322391

Contact

960 3000707

E-mail

adminhr@sunfront.com.mv

E-mail

info @ page .mv

E-mail

infofedex@ttsgroup.mv

Website

www.sunfront.com.mv

Website

www.page.mv

Website

www.fedex.com

Pan Ocean International Pvt Ltd

Veliga Hardware

Tennssor Holdings Pvt Ltd

Contact

960 3318172

Contact

960 3300891

Contact

960 3300010

E-mail

info@panocean.com.mv

E-mail

info@veligaa.com

E-mail

info@tennssor.com

Website

www.veligaa.com

Website

www.tennssor.com/

Website

AH Brothers Contact

960 3305516

E-mail

info@ahb.com.mv

Website

www.ahb.com.mv

Apollo Holdings

HEALTHCARE

ADK Hospital

HOTEL AND TRAVEL

Kaimoo Travels & Hotel Service

Contact

960 3320065

Contact

960 3313553

Contact

960 3322212

E-mail

info@apolloholdings.com.mv

E-mail

info@adkhospital.com

E-mail

kaimoo@dhivehinet.net.mv

Website

www.apolloholdings.com.mv

Website

www.adkhospital.com

Website

www.kaimoo.com

Tree Top Investments Pvt Ltd

Cyprea

Contact

Co-Load Maldives 960 3320450

Contact

960 3310681

Contact

960 3322451

E-mail

admin@coload.com.mv

E-mail

info@treetopmaldives.com

E-mail

info@cyprea.com.mv

Website

www.coload.com.mv

Website

www.treetopmaldives.com

Website

www.cyprea.com.mv

Sonee Hardware Contact

960 3336699

E-mail

info@sonee.com.mv

Website

www.sonee.com.mv

H EAVY L OAD

INSURANCE

C om p a ny Listin g Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

Allied Insurance Company

Suood and Anwar

Contact

960 330 0033

Contact

960 3344911

E-mail

info@allied.mv

E-mail

info@suoodanwar.com

Website

www.allied.mv

Website

www.suoodanwar.com

Amana Takaful Maldives Contact

960 3315262

E-mail

info@takaful.mv

Website

www.takaful.mv

Solarelle Insurance

OPTICALS

Vision Opticals MARINE EQUIPMENTS

Marine Equipments

Contact

960 3009666

E-mail

vision3535@live.com

Website

www.visionopticals.mv

Eye Care

Contact

960 3300099

Contact

960 3338820

Contact

960 3324300

E-mail

info@solarelleinsurance.com

E-mail

sales@meq.mv

E-mail

customercare@eyecare.com.mv

Website

www.solarelleinsurance.com

Website

www.meq.mv

Website

www.eyecaremaldives.com

Dhivehi Insurance

D Blue Private Limited

Contact

960 3007799

Contact

960 330 3667

E-mail

info@dhivehiinsurance.com

E-mail

info@dblue.com.mv

Website

dhivehiinsurance.com

Website

www.dblue.com.mv

Ceylinco Insurance Company

Hassan Marine Engineering Solutions

PEST CONTROL

PestEx Maldives

Contact

960 9693939

Contact

960 3312733

Contact

960 3338009

E-mail

info@ceylincoinsurance.com.mv

E-mail

info@hassanmarine.com

E-mail

info@pestexmaldives.com

Website

www.ceylinco-insurance.com

Website

www.hassanmarine.com

Website

www.pestexmaldives.com

VAM & Company L EGAL S ERVICES

Contact

960 3347055

E-mail

info@vamco.com.mv

Website

www.vamco.com.mv

Shah, Hussain & Co Contact

960 3333644

E-mail

accounts@shclawyers.com

Website

www.shclawyers.com

Mazlan and Murad

PHARMACEUTICAL

Life Support MECHANICAL AND E NGINEERING

Contact

960 3334646

E-mail

info@lifesupport.mv

Website

www.lifesupport.mv

Static Company

Contact

960 3344720

Contact

960 3310313

E-mail

info@mmlawassociates.com

E-mail

info@static-company.com

Website

www.mmlawassociates.com

Website

www.static-company.com

PRINTING SERVICE

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Novelty Bookshop

Ooredoo Maldives

Contact

960 3318899

Contact

960 9611000

E-mail

admin@bookshop.novelty.com.mv

E-mail

care@ooredoo..mv

Website

www.bookshop.novelty.com.mv

Website

www.ooredoo.mv

Contact

960 3333022

Contact

960 3323355

Contact

960 664 0375 /960 3323323

E-mail

info@printlab.com.mv

E-mail

marketing@rol.mv

E-mail

marketing@adaaran.com.mv

Website

www.printlab.com.mv

Website

www.rol.net.mv

Website

www.adaaran.com

ROL

Printlab

Adaaran Resorts

Dhiraagu TECHNICAL SERVICES

960 3321415

E-mail

info@focuscomp.com

Website

www.focuscomp.com

Link Serve

Capital Travel & Tours

Contact

960 3322802

Contact

960 3315089

E-mail

info@dhiraagu.com.mv

E-mail

sales@capitaltravel.com

Website

www.dhiraagu.com.mv

Website

www.capitaltravel.com

Focus Computers Contact

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Crown & Champa Resorts T RANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Asia Forwarding

Contact

960 6640219

E-mail

ceo@crownandchamparesorts.com

Website

www.crownandchamparesorts.com

Intour Maldives

Contact

960 3003000

Contact

960 7775917

Contact

960 333 9994

E-mail

sales@linkserve.com.mv

E-mail

ziyadh@theasiaforwarding.com

E-mail

info@intourmaldives..com

Website

www.linkserve.com.mv

Website

www.theasiaforwarding.com

Website

www.intourmaldives.com

Medianet

Centurion PLC

Silver Sands

Contact

960 3320800

Contact

960 3309668

Contact

960 9934175

E-mail

customerservice@medianet.com.mv

E-mail

info@centurion.mv

E-mail

sales@silversands.com.mv

Website

www.medianet.com.mv

Website

www.centurion.mv

Website

www.silversandsdiving.com

Megachip Electronics

Total Transport Solutions Maldives

Universal Enterprises

Contact

960 3333088

Contact

960 3011888

Contact

E-mail

info@megachipcomputers.com

E-mail

info@ttsgroup.mv

E-mail

reservations @universal resorts .com

Website

www.megachiplive.com

Website

www.ttsgroupmaldives.com

Website

www.universalresorts.com

Contact

960 3308062

Contact

960 3333300

E-mail

seacargo@bonito.com.mv

E-mail

info@villa.com.mv

Website

www.bonito.com.mv

Website

www.villa.mv

Villa Shipping & Trading Company

Bonito TELECOM

960 3323080

C om p a ny Listin g Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9

Voyages Maldives

Damas Company

BHM

Contact

960 3322019

Contact

960 3333000

Contact

960 3326538

E-mail

info@voyagesmaldives.com

E-mail

info@damas.com.mv

E-mail

bhm@bhmtraders.com

Website

www.voyagesmaldives.com

Website

www.damas.com.mv

Website

www.bhmtraders.com

Donad Investments

Falim Group

Miyami Enterprises Pvt Ltd

Contact

960 3335560

Contact

960 3337792

Contact

960 3317020

E-mail

pa.gm@metalsigns.com.mv

E-mail

info@falim.com.mv

E-mail

sales@miyamimaldives.com

Website

www.metalsigns.com.mv

Website

www.falim.com.mv

Website

www.miyamimaldives.com

Handy Holdings UTILITIES

Fenaka Corporation

MU Store

Contact

960 331 0812

Contact

960 3338863

E-mail

info@handyholdings.com

E-mail

sales@mustore.mv

Website

www.handyholdings.com

Website

www.mustore.mv

Redwave Pvt Ltd

Lotus

Contact

960 3007555

Contact

960 3336874

Contact

960 3332002

E-mail

info@fenaka.com.mv

E-mail

redwave @ avasmail .com .mv

E-mail

info@seniormaldives.com

Website

www.fenaka.com.mv

Website

www.redwavemaldives.com

Website

www.lotusfihaara.com

Male Water & Sewerage Company

State Trading Organization

MHA

Contact

960 3323209

Contact

960 3344333

Contact

960 3323246

E-mail

mail@mwsc.com.mv

E-mail

info@stomaldives.net

E-mail

info@mha.com.mv

Website

www.mwsc.com.mv

Website

www.sto.mv

Website

mha.com.mv

VB Brothers WHOLESALE AND R ETAIL T RADE

ADK Company Pvt. Ltd

Araaby Pvt Ltd

Contact

960 3336867

Contact

960 330 0678

E-mail

sales@vbbrothers.com.mv

E-mail

araaby@araaby.com

Website

www.vbbrothers.com.mv

Website

www.araaby.com/

Lintel Investments Pvt Ltd

Ondhigo

Contact

960 3008558

Contact

960 3010200

Contact

960 3339898

E-mail

info@adkcompany.com

E-mail

info@lintel.com.mv

E-mail

sales@ondhigo.com

Website

www.adkcompany.com

Website

www.lintel.mv

Website

www.ondhigo.com

Asters Private Limited

Lily Enterprises Pvt Ltd

Waadhee Traders Pte Ltd

Contact

960 3316464

Contact

960 3010500 / 960 3335044

Contact

960 3321133

E-mail

sales@asters.com.mv

E-mail

info@lilyenterprises.com

E-mail

waadhee @ waadhee .com .mv

Website

www.astersonline.com

Website

www.lilyenterprises.com

Website

www.waadhee.com.mv

95

Brands of Maldives | 2 0 1 9