News Desk
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu used his keynote at the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Colombo to deliver one of the clearest messages of his State Visit: the next phase of Maldives–Sri Lanka economic ties must be reciprocal, broader, and built on shared regional interests. His call for “greater openness for Maldivian enterprises in Sri Lanka” and his reminder that “two‑way investment flows are essential for a balanced and durable economic relationship” set the tone for a speech that blended opportunity with expectation.
The President framed the moment as a turning point. With sixty years of formal diplomatic relations behind the two countries, he said both sides now have the chance to shape a partnership defined not only by history but by economic ambition. “We do so with pride in our long‑lasting friendship and with an unwavering commitment to chart a new chapter,” he said, positioning the forum as a platform to reset commercial ties.
Much of the address focused on the Maldives’ domestic reforms. He described the country as “a nation on the rise” and highlighted the government’s Vision 2040 plan, which aims to steer the Maldives towards becoming a fully developed and sustainable nation. He stressed that this direction is not aspirational rhetoric but a guiding principle. “This vision is not a distant dream. It is a strategic commitment that drives every policy decision that we make.”
To support that claim, he pointed to a series of regulatory changes designed to attract investment. The modernised Foreign Investments Law, the revised entry requirements for foreign investors and amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act were presented as evidence of a government intent on creating a more predictable and competitive environment. “We are shaping an economy that is open, dynamic, and globally competitive,” he said.
The President also used the Google “Dhivaru” project as a marker of shifting investor confidence. He described it as “a clear demonstration of the confidence that global companies now place in the Maldives” and said it positions the country as “a rising digital hub in the Indian Ocean.” The example served to underline his argument that the Maldives is ready for larger, more diverse partnerships.
It was in this context that he turned to Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the long-standing role Sri Lankan businesses already play in Maldivian tourism, construction and services, but made it clear that the next phase must be more balanced. “We welcome investments that contribute to our progress, not only as capital, but as knowledge, experience, and long-standing partnerships,” he said. At the same time, he urged Colombo to open more doors for Maldivian companies seeking opportunities across the strait.
The President linked this call to a broader regional outlook. The Indian Ocean, he said, is a shared economic lifeline whose stability and sustainability matter to both countries. “For the Maldives, as a Small Island Developing State, these issues are not abstract,” he noted, adding that both nations have a common interest in resilient infrastructure, sustainable development and long-term planning.
He argued that future cooperation must move beyond traditional trade. “Partnerships must go beyond traditional trade and investments. They must embrace resilience — environmental, economic, and infrastructural.” He described Sri Lanka as “an indispensable partner” in this effort, citing its expertise and proximity.
By the end of the address, the message was clear: the Maldives is opening its economy, reforming its systems and seeking partners who can match its ambition. But it also expects reciprocity. The President’s call for two-way investment was not a passing remark but a central theme, tied directly to the future of bilateral economic relations.
“Let us leave this forum with renewed commitment. To build together, to innovate together, and to grow together,” he said in closing. The speech signalled that for the Maldives, the next chapter with Sri Lanka will be measured not only by shared history but by shared economic space.
