When STO took root in 1964, the outlook for the Maldives was grim, to put it bluntly. The population was a mere 100,000. The only communication with the outside world was the Morse code and the ham radio. The only airstrip was one put together by the British Royal Air Force and inter-atoll transport was limited to trips on the traditional sailing Dhoni. The only resource available was fish, and consumers were at the mercy of importers. Even the most basic food items were expensive. The country had no banking service. Development was slow with no available funds for major investments and no commercial industry.
The need for a central purchasing organization to raise living standards and encourage development was acute. The government responded with the establishment of the Athireegemaafannu Trading Agency (ATA) - the beginning of STO, and the catalyst for change in the Maldives.
ATA financed the purchase and import of essential items in bulk; sold them to the public at low mark-up prices and also purchased supplies for the government.
With proven success in contributing to national development, ATA expanded into the State Trading Organization (STO). The STO undertook all trading and commercial activity on behalf of the Maldivian government.
The nation was growing and so were its demands. The needs started expanding, from merely staples like rice, sugar and wheat flour, to modern construction materials, appliances and consumer goods.
The winds of change were blowing across the nation and STO responded by looking beyond its traditional role of state trader. It began to take up alternative enterprises to earn foreign exchange and broaden the nation's revenue sources.
Building up on the background of solid commercial success, STO has streamlined its operations to where profit and viability matter as much as the need to ensure broad access to essential commodities at affordable prices.
Now, STO has become the dynamic organization demanded by a prosperous, rapidly developing country. The Maldivian economy has potential and STO, with its diversified businesses, is a constant source of support.
