Business Centre Corporation Limited (BCC) has announced it is preparing to open the small and medium enterprises (SME) hub in the next 2-3 months.
Speaking to PSM News, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Samih Adam said that the ground floor of the facility has been built and work is underway to build the first floor. He said that the work is expected to be completed in the next few months. He added that BCC has opened the facility for writers to market their books.
Furthermore, Director of Authentic Maldives Mohamed Jaushan said the floors will be dedicated to different businesses. He said the ground floor will consist of a cafe’ and bookshop, which will allow Maldivian writers to market their works, and that the first floor will be dedicated to performing arts and a plant shop. He added the first floor will also have a herbal medicine kiosk, as such businesses are declining in the Maldives. He further said the second floor will consist of a mini cinema, gaming area, salon, cosmetic shop, and children’s toy store.
The SME Hub, located in STO Allied Building in Male’ City, is a three-storey multi-purpose facility that provides a market space with affordable kiosks on monthly contracts for businesses to sell products and services. BCC also plans to open restaurants, cafes, recreational activities, and entertainment for visitors at the hub. The space will also provide opportunities for performing artists from various fields to showcase their talent and further their careers.
BCC was established in 2017 under the Ministry of Economic Development, with the mandate of operating business centres in different regions, but began operations in 2019. There are currently 13 business centres across the country, tasked with implementing the government’s policies to promote and assist SMEs.