HDC takes first place among state-owned companies at Maldives Expo 2026 awards

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has won first place in the state-owned companies category at the Maldives Expo 2026 awards, the corporation said on 25 October.

The award was presented by First Lady Sajida Mohamed at the expo's awards ceremony on the night of 24 October. It was received on HDC's behalf by Malsha Shareef, the corporation's Director of Marketing and Public Relations, HDC said.

Models from Hulhumalé's early days

HDC's entries were models tied to the development of Hulhumalé. One depicted the vessel that was the only means of carrying people and goods between Malé and Hulhumalé when construction of the new city began.

A second was a detailed model of the dredger "Amazon", which the government brought to the Maldives in 2003 through the company Dredging International for the first phase of Hulhumalé's reclamation. HDC said the vessel helped complete the first-phase land reclamation within just six months.

The corporation also showed models of a smart streetlight system it plans to introduce in Hulhumalé. According to HDC, the lights can be controlled remotely, adjust their brightness automatically and report faults instantly, cutting electricity costs. All of the models were built by HDC staff, it said.

290 awards presented

The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade said 290 awards were presented to 130 winners at the ceremony. The competition drew 4,434 product entries from 439 participants, with individuals accounting for 3,303 items, or 74.5 per cent. Businesses submitted 764 items and persons with disabilities 254.

Speaking at the ceremony, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said productive citizens would play the leading role in the Maldivian economy. He said the number of products at the expo had risen from 2,467 last year to 4,400 this year, and participants from 240 to 600, with entries from every atoll.

Maldives Expo 2026 opened at Hulhumalé Central Park on 25 October and runs until 2 November. HDC said it takes part in such exhibitions to show the public its work and the new products it plans to use in future.