His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu delivered the Keynote Address at the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum held in Colombo today, highlighting the indispensable role played by the private sector in shaping the country's economic destiny.
In his remarks, the President stated that the Maldives is at a pivotal moment in its developmental journey, guided by Vision 2040 — a commitment to building a fully developed, inclusive, and sustainable nation. He underscored that this vision is rooted in the belief that development must be people-centric, technology-enabled, and environmentally responsible.
The President stated that private sector–led growth has been placed at the heart of the national agenda. He further noted that the Government is advancing a decisive and ambitious reform programme to facilitate business, incentivise investment, and empower entrepreneurs. He highlighted the modernised Foreign Investment Law and revised Foreign Investment Entry Requirements, designed to bring clarity, predictability, and transparency for investors.
President Dr Muizzu further noted amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act as a transformative step designed to take the Maldives into its next phase of growth. He reflected on the growing investor confidence in the Maldives as a rising digital hub in the Indian Ocean, signalling to international investors that the Maldives is not only open for business, but actively shaping the future of technology-driven growth.
Emphasising cooperation, the President stated that Sri Lanka is a central partner in this journey, noting its role in tourism, construction, and services. He invited collaboration in infrastructure development, sustainable tourism models, digital innovation, and food security, and stressed the importance of two-way investment flows for a balanced and durable economic partnership. President Dr Muizzu also emphasised the importance of driving innovation, embracing resilience, and shared leadership across the region.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, highlighted that the forum represents a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, underscoring the Administration's clear focus on fiscal discipline, economic resilience, and long-term growth. He noted that despite global economic challenges, the Government has maintained macroeconomic stability while advancing major infrastructure projects and implementing reforms aimed at diversifying the economy beyond tourism.
The forum also included a Special Address by Honourable Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who remarked on the strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries.
The forum featured a presentation on Maldives–Sri Lanka bilateral relations and a showcase of investment opportunities in the Maldives, including opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.
The forum was attended by business sector delegations from both countries, and concluded with networking discussions among participants aimed at strengthening business linkages and identifying avenues for future cooperation between the two countries.
