Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,
Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Esteemed Business Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
and a very good afternoon.
At the outset, allow me to extend a very warm welcome to and my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Harini Amarasuriya for gracing us with your presence at this Forum today. Thank you, Madam Prime Minister.
I am pleased to be here in vibrant Colombo, in my first State Visit to Sri Lanka. And it is a privilege to address this distinguished gathering at the Maldives – Sri Lanka Business Forum, the very first in nearly nine years. I thank you all for your kind participation, which certainly symbolizes the enduring friendship and robust partnership between our two counties.
As we reflect on sixty years of formal diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, we do so with pride in our long-lasting friendship and with an unwavering commitment to chart a new chapter. It is one defined by economic cooperation, innovation, and strategic partnership.
Today, the Maldives is at a pivotal moment in its developmental journey. We are a nation on the rise, building from a foundation of resilience and looking boldly towards a future of development and prosperity. Through our national development blueprint, Vision 2040, we are steering the country towards becoming a fully developed, inclusive, and sustainable nation.
This vision is not a distant dream. It is a strategic commitment that drives every policy decision that we make. It is rooted in the belief that development must be people-centric, technology-enabled, and environmentally responsible. And above all, it recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector in shaping our economic destiny.
Distinguished Delegates,
I have placed private sector–led growth at the very heart of our national agenda. My administration is advancing a decisive and ambitious reform program to facilitate business, incentivize investments, and empower entrepreneurs. We have introduced a modernized Foreign Investments Law replacing the 40-year-old regime and revised the Foreign Investment Entry Requirements to bring clarity, predictability, and transparency to foreign investors.
These reforms recognize the delicate balance we must uphold: safeguarding sectors where local enterprise has matured and must be protected, while opening doors to foreign capital, expertise, and technology in areas essential for our national development. At the same time, the amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act including the recognition of large-scale investments under Sustainable Townships, reflects our readiness to elevate the Maldives to its next phase of growth.
This is a transformative step designed to take our world-renowned tourism sector into a new era: one that is bigger, bolder, and brighter. From simplifying regulatory frameworks to strengthening our institutions, we are shaping an economy that is open, dynamic, and globally competitive, an economy where investors find confidence and where innovation thrives. And these reforms are already delivering results.
The announcement by Google last year of the “Dhivaru” investment, the first of its kind in our nation’s history, is a clear demonstration of the confidence that global companies now place in the Maldives. This partnership marks a turning point. It positions the Maldives as a rising digital hub in the Indian Ocean, enhances our connectivity, and signals to international investors that the Maldives is not only open for business, but actively shaping the future of technology-driven growth. It is an example of what can be achieved when clear policy direction, investor confidence, and national ambition align.
It is with these early results that I say with confidence that the Maldives is open, ready, and determined to build meaningful partnerships that shape our shared future. This transformation that we seek is not inward-looking. We look to our neighbours and global partners gathered here today to join us in creating a more resilient, connected, and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
Sri Lanka’s proximity, capacity, and long-standing familiarity with the Maldivian market positions the country as a central partner in this journey. Sri Lankan businesses already play an essential role in our tourism, construction, and services sectors. And to the many international companies operating out of Sri Lanka, your presence here uniquely positions you to explore promising and lucrative opportunities in the Maldives.
My invitation therefore extends to everyone, to collaborate with us on infrastructure development, to partner with us in advancing sustainable tourism models, and to join us in expanding cooperation in sectors such as digital innovation and food security. We welcome investments that contribute to our progress, not only as capital, but as knowledge, experience, and long-standing partnerships. Equally, we hope to see greater openness for Maldivian enterprises in Sri Lanka. Two-way investment flows are essential for a balanced and durable economic relationship. Maldivian businesses are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad, and Sri Lanka remains a natural and strategic destination for their expansion.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we look ahead, it is clear that our cooperation must also reflect the evolving realities of our region. The Indian Ocean is our shared lifeline for our economies, our people, and our future. Its stability, sustainability, and resilience are fundamental to the prosperity of both our nations.
For the Maldives, as a Small Island Developing State, these issues are not abstract. They shape our policy priorities, our infrastructure needs, and our long-term planning. And while our vulnerabilities may differ, both Sri Lanka and the Maldives have a common interest in safeguarding our ocean, strengthening our infrastructure, and building a region that can withstand the challenges of the coming decades.
This is why I believe partnerships such as ours must go beyond traditional trade and investments. They must embrace resilience - environmental, economic, and infrastructural. They must drive innovation in the way we design cities, ports, energy systems, and tourism for a changing world. And they must be anchored in shared responsibility and shared leadership across our region. In this effort, I see Sri Lanka not just as a neighbour, but as an indispensable partner, a country whose expertise, talent, and capacity can help shape a stronger and more sustainable future for the Maldives, and for the wider Indian Ocean community.
This forum is a place where these possibilities take form. Where ideas take shape and find like-minded partnerships. And where such partnerships lead to progress. Let us leave this forum with renewed commitment. To build together, to innovate together, and to grow together. And let us reaffirm that through collaboration and shared purpose, we can create a future in which both our nations rise stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous.
I thank you.