President Invites Pakistani Businesses to Partner in the Maldives’ Economic Growth

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has invited Pakistani businesses to explore new commercial opportunities and form long-term partnerships with the Maldives. He made the remarks while speaking at the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 held in Islamabad.

Marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the President noted that while bilateral trust and goodwill remain strong, trade has not yet reached its full potential. He highlighted a mutual goal agreed upon with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to increase bilateral trade to USD 200 million over the next two years.

Speaking on key investment sectors, President Muizzu stressed the importance of resilient supply chains for an island nation that hosts more than two million tourists each year. He invited investments in cold-chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, food processing, and climate-smart agriculture. To improve connectivity, the President called for direct sea trade routes and announced plans for the national airline, Maldivian, to begin direct flights between Malé and Karachi in the near future.

The President also welcomed certified Pakistani pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to help fulfill the Maldives’ rising demand for high-quality medical supplies. In infrastructure, he invited construction and engineering firms to partner in major housing, land reclamation, and connectivity projects across the country. Additionally, he noted investment opportunities in renewable energy as the Maldives aims to produce 33 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2028.

Addressing the growing market for Islamic finance, President Muizzu encouraged institutions to explore Shariah-compliant financing, sukuk issuance, and halal products. He urged investors to see the Maldives not just as a consumer market, but as a strategic base to expand into wider regional markets, assuring a business-friendly regulatory framework.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the forum, joining President Muizzu in encouraging entrepreneurs from both countries to make full use of these emerging economic opportunities.