President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that the Maldives is open to responsible investment and committed to making that investment succeed. He made the remarks this morning at the China-Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum, held alongside Maldives Expo 2026.

The President noted that the forum was convened not merely to discuss investment, but to shape the next chapter of a friendship that has delivered tangible benefits for the peoples of both countries. He highlighted that the Maldives and China have been connected for centuries by maritime trade and human exchange, and that those bonds have today grown into a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, founded on mutual respect, trust, and shared aspirations for development.

Speaking on the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 1st January 2025, the President noted that it provides Maldivian businesses with a stronger platform to compete and connect with one of the world’s largest markets. He stated that between January 2025 and August 2026, the Maldives imported approximately USD 440 million worth of goods from China, of which approximately USD 124 million, or more than a quarter, entered under the Agreement. The President stressed that the ambition must extend beyond trade volumes to creating greater value, strengthening commercial partnerships, and ensuring that economic cooperation benefits communities across the Maldives. He noted the significant potential of Maldivian premium fisheries products, local craftsmanship, and services in the Chinese market, and invited Chinese enterprises to collaborate with Maldivian businesses on modern processing, supply chains, distribution, and market access.

The President affirmed that the Maldives is entering a defining period of national development, with Vision 2040 setting the ambitious goal of becoming a fully developed nation by 2040. He noted that to achieve this, the country must diversify its economy, accelerate innovation, and build partnerships with investors who share its confidence in the future. He highlighted the introduction of a new Foreign Investment Act, replacing legislation that had governed foreign investment for more than four decades, to improve transparency, policy certainty, and investor confidence. Development priorities, he added, present opportunities in renewable energy, food security, logistics, advanced fisheries processing, digital technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, financial services, smart infrastructure, and sustainable urban development.

The President emphasised that the Maldives does not seek investment merely for the capital it brings, but for the industries it creates, the skills it develops, the jobs it generates, and the opportunities it opens for its people.

Concluding his remarks, the President invited every investor and business leader to explore the opportunities the Maldives offers, build partnerships with Maldivian enterprises, and bring their expertise, ideas, and innovation as part of the country’s journey towards Vision 2040. He expressed hope that the forum would be remembered not simply for the discussions held, but for the investments it inspires, the partnerships it creates, and the progress it delivers.

The forum was attended by His Excellency Kong Xianhua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Maldives, the Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Cabinet Ministers, and senior Government officials.