President Muizzu Invites Sri Lankan Investors to Explore Maldives Opportunities

President Mohamed Muizzu has called on Sri Lankan and international investors to deepen economic engagement with the Maldives, positioning the country as an emerging hub for investment, digital innovation, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean.

Delivering the keynote address at the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Colombo, President Muizzu said the Maldives was entering a transformative phase driven by private sector-led growth, regulatory reforms, and the government’s long-term national development strategy, Vision 2040.

The forum, held during President Muizzu’s first State Visit to Sri Lanka, marked the first Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum in nearly nine years and brought together senior government officials, investors, and business leaders from both countries.

President Muizzu said his administration has introduced major policy reforms aimed at improving the investment climate and strengthening investor confidence. These include a modernized Foreign Investments Law replacing the previous four-decade-old framework, as well as revised foreign investment entry requirements intended to improve transparency and predictability for foreign businesses.

He further highlighted recent amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act and the introduction of Sustainable Townships as part of efforts to attract large-scale investments and diversify economic growth.

“These reforms are already delivering results,” President Muizzu said, pointing to the “Dhivaru” investment announced by Google last year. He described the project as a landmark development that positions the Maldives as a rising digital hub in the Indian Ocean while enhancing the country’s connectivity and technology infrastructure.

President Muizzu also underscored the Maldives’ commitment to building a competitive and innovation-driven economy, stating that the government aims to create an environment where businesses can operate with confidence and where entrepreneurship can thrive.

Highlighting the long-standing ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka as the two countries commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations, the President described Sri Lanka as a strategic partner in the Maldives’ next phase of economic development.

He noted that Sri Lankan businesses already play a significant role across key sectors of the Maldivian economy, including tourism, construction, and services, and encouraged further collaboration in infrastructure development, sustainable tourism, digital innovation, and food security.

President Muizzu also called for stronger two-way investment flows, noting that Maldivian businesses are increasingly seeking expansion opportunities abroad, with Sri Lanka remaining a natural destination for regional growth.

Addressing broader regional priorities, the President stressed the importance of resilience and sustainability in the Indian Ocean, particularly for small island developing states such as the Maldives.

He said future partnerships must extend beyond traditional trade and investment to include cooperation on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, energy systems, and regional innovation.

The President concluded by urging businesses and investors from both countries to strengthen partnerships and work together to build a more resilient and prosperous Indian Ocean region.