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Launched by Hawwa Samha in February 2022, Meraka is inspired by the natural beauty of the country. Their shell and ocean pieces have a timeless appeal and feel particularly nostalgic.

From geometric-shaped earrings to brass wire bracelets, all of her designs are one-of-a-kind. While all of their collections are popular, Samha stated that the Fara collection products have been particularly well received.

In the future, she says that she wants to launch her own website and make her products available worldwide.

Speaking from her experience, Samha says that running a small handmade business in the Maldives is tough but rewarding. While the market for handmade products may not be as large as in some other countries, there is a growing interest in unique, locally made products in the Maldives, she noted.

One of the ways that the government can assist such businesses like her own is to establish a mechanism to facilitate small businesses' purchases of dollars at the MMA reference rate to buy raw materials from abroad, she says.

Meraka’s products can be purchased directly via their page or even from authentic Maldivian shops in Male and VIA.