The Maldives is looking to unlock significant new opportunities in trade, investment, tourism and economic cooperation with Pakistan following President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent State Visit, with the Government placing particular emphasis on improved connectivity and greater access to Pakistan’s vast consumer market.
President’s Office Chief Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said one of the most important outcomes of the visit was the opportunity for the Maldives to deepen economic engagement with Pakistan, a country with a population exceeding 200 million and substantial potential for trade, investment and outbound tourism.
President Dr Muizzu undertook the State Visit to Pakistan from 20 to 22 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The visit was especially significant as it was the first State Visit to Pakistan by a Maldivian President in 11 years, reflecting renewed momentum in the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
According to Spokesperson Shareef, the Pakistani Government demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, with Prime Minister Sharif taking a personal interest in advancing trade relations and identifying practical areas in which both countries could benefit.
Despite the size of Pakistan’s economy and consumer market, bilateral trade between the Maldives and Pakistan currently stands at only USD 13.9 million. The Government believes there is considerable room to expand this figure by addressing existing logistical challenges, encouraging private-sector partnerships and creating more efficient transport links.
One of the key issues identified during the discussions was the lack of direct air connectivity. Pakistani travellers currently have to reach the Maldives through transit points in the Middle East or Sri Lanka, making travel less convenient and potentially limiting tourism growth from the Pakistani market.
Both governments have therefore agreed to work towards establishing direct air connections, with national airline Maldivian preparing to introduce services to Pakistani cities. Improved connectivity is expected to make the Maldives more accessible to Pakistani travellers while also supporting business travel, investment activity and the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
Pakistan represents a promising tourism market for the Maldives, particularly as improved direct access could encourage more families, couples and leisure travellers to choose the Maldives for island holidays. The country’s internationally recognised resort sector, private island experiences, marine environment and high-quality hospitality services offer strong potential to attract a larger share of Pakistan’s growing outbound travel market.
The two countries also discussed the establishment of a maritime cargo route linking Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Malé. Such a route could provide the Maldives with a more efficient channel for importing essential products and strengthen the resilience of national supply chains.
Spokesperson Shareef said the proposed shipping connection could support the import of affordable and high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables and other food products from Pakistan, contributing to greater food security and offering consumers and businesses additional sourcing options. Opportunities were also identified to import quality pharmaceutical products from Pakistan’s well-established medicine manufacturing industry.
Economic cooperation was further advanced through engagements between business communities from both countries. During a business forum held as part of the State Visit, Maldivian and Pakistani entrepreneurs explored potential partnerships, investment opportunities and areas for private-sector collaboration across a range of industries.
The Government expects these engagements to support the Maldives’ broader economic diversification efforts by attracting new investment, encouraging commercial partnerships and opening access to one of South Asia’s largest consumer markets.
The visit also created opportunities for Maldivian businesses to explore Pakistan as a potential market while encouraging Pakistani investors to consider opportunities in the Maldives, including tourism-related development, infrastructure, logistics, trade and other growing sectors of the economy.
Attention is now turning towards implementation. Spokesperson Shareef said both governments are committed to ensuring that the agreements and understandings reached during the President’s visit are translated into practical economic outcomes.
A special delegation comprising senior Pakistani officials and business representatives is expected to visit the Maldives next week to continue discussions and advance cooperation in agreed areas.
Spokesperson Shareef expressed confidence that relevant Government ministries would complete the necessary preparations and begin implementing the agreements without delay, strengthening the economic partnership between the Maldives and Pakistan and creating new opportunities for businesses, investors and citizens of both countries.
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