Your Excellency Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,
Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Esteemed Business Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalaam Alaikum and a very good afternoon.
Allow me to first extend a warm welcome and my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim for honoring us with his presence at this Forum today. Thank you, Excellency.
It is truly my pleasure to be here for the first of its kind - Maldives-Malaysia Business Forum. I thank you all for participating in this historic gathering which symbolizes the enduring friendship and robust partnership between our two countries.
This marks my first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in November 2023. My administration is dedicated to strengthening our bilateral and economic ties with Malaysia, especially on enhancing the invaluable people-to-people connections. As we stand at the threshold of a new era, I am filled with optimism and excitement for the future we build together.
Over the years, the Maldives and Malaysia have cultivated a relationship anchored in mutual trust and shared values—strengthened by deep community ties, educational links, and a steadily expanding economic partnership.
We are bound not only by history and diplomacy, but by a deep cultural and religious kinship. As two predominantly Muslim nations, we share a commitment to values that define how we engage with the world and how we care for our people.
For many Maldivians, Malaysia is a beloved second home.
Thousands of Maldivian students have walked the halls of Malaysian universities and colleges—returning home inspired, ready to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s transformation. Hundreds are studying here even today.
Many Maldivian families live here, contributing constructively to the Malaysian economy. Maldivian entrepreneurs have built connections here, and many more continue to choose Malaysia as a destination for learning, growth, and opportunity.
Every year during the holiday season, Maldivians fills the streets of Kuala Lumpur and many other cities here, as they continue to enjoy what is in this amazing country.
The love and admiration that Maldivians hold for Malaysia is heartfelt and unique—unrivaled in many ways.
This is why this visit is of paramount importance to me.
This visit marks a renewed chapter in our partnership—one that I hope will not only open new doors for economic cooperation and private sector collaboration but also deepen our existing ties and pave the way for meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Distinguished guests,
The priorities we pledged to the people from the very beginning are of utmost importance to me, and it is very clear: to improve the quality of life for our people, strengthen our institutions, and unlock the full potential of our islands.
From the beginning, we set out a bold vision—to build a stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready Maldives.
We are doing this by investing in infrastructure, empowering our youth, expanding housing, developing resilient energy systems, and diversifying our economy.
Our vision for the future is ambitious.
To guide this transformation, I laid out an ambitious national goal: our Vision 2040 — the commitment to become a fully developed nation by the time we mark 75 years of independence.
It is a vision rooted in confidence — confidence in the ingenuity of our people, in the growth of our institutions, and in the strength of the partnerships we continue to build.
We are committed to sustainable development, to ensure our future generations are protected, and not just to survive, but to thrive.
Distinguished guests,
Today, that vision is taking shape.
We have launched the largest housing initiative in our history— to create new urban spaces with eco-friendly infrastructure.
We are upgrading our airport and maritime capacity to serve tourists, but a larger, more connected economy.
We are investing in renewable energy across our islands, with the goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.
And we are embarking on an ambitious digital transformation strategy - digitalizing our services, our systems, and our economy to meet the demands of tomorrow, where the future is intelligence-driven.
At the heart of all this lie partnerships.
The Maldives cannot—and should not—achieve these ambitions alone.
Progress is best achieved when we uplift one another, complementing each other’s strengths.
That is why we have opened strategic sectors for investment: from real estate, tourism, and logistics, to ports, mariculture, renewable energy, and value-added exports.
We are also offering new opportunities under our revitalized Special Economic Zones, with incentives designed to attract forward-looking investors.
To further reinforce this commitment, in December 2024, we enacted our new Foreign Investment Law.
This new law is aligned with international best practices and provides robust investor protection, transparency, and predictability. It recognizes and gives legal force to both bilateral and multilateral investment treaties. It ensures that investors can operate with clarity, confidence, and security.
This was not merely a legislative update—it is a clear statement that the Maldives is serious about welcoming the world’s best partners and doing so on solid, trusted grounds.
Distinguished guests,
For us Maldivians, Malaysia is a steadfast partner in this journey.
Malaysia’s success in building globally competitive industries—while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and inclusive development—is an inspiration.
I believe there is great potential for Malaysian companies to contribute meaningfully to our growth story, while unlocking real value in return. Malaysian companies stand to gain immensely from investing in the Maldives.
Our strategic location along key shipping routes offers unparalleled opportunities for the maritime and logistics sectors. Additionally, the Maldives' robust tourism industry, renowned for its luxury resorts and pristine beaches, presents significant potential for high returns on investments in hospitality and eco-tourism.
Whether it is through participation in major infrastructure and real estate developments, supporting our ambition for sustainable tourism, investing in new agricultural and renewable energy ventures, or partnering with us in digital innovation—Maldives is open for business, and open to building long-term strategic partnerships.
It is with great pleasure that we just witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Maldives and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia. I have no doubt that this significant step will further inspire confidence in you to invest in the Maldives.
I am also confident that the strong foundation we share—and the new ground we break together today through this forum, and the conversations that follow—will lead to meaningful outcomes, enduring partnerships, and a deeper, more dynamic economic bond between our two countries.
Distinguished guests,
We live in a world of uncertainty, but also one of opportunity.
Small island nations like the Maldives are especially exposed to the turbulence that rise from global shifts, but we also benefit from being agile, resilient, and ambitious.
I believe this is the right moment to build, to collaborate, and to grow together.
Allow me to thank you once again for your interest, your time, and your confidence in the Maldives.
Together, we can forge a path of mutual growth and prosperity. Let us seize this moment to deepen our collaboration and create a better future for both our nations.
I look forward to seeing ideas discussed here today take shape in the form of successful projects, thriving joint ventures, and enduring business relationships.
We are ready to welcome you to the Maldives—not just as visitors, but as partners in our shared future and prosperity.
Thank you.