President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has invited Pakistani businesses and investors to become long-term partners in the Maldives’ economic transformation, highlighting expanding opportunities across tourism, trade, logistics, healthcare, construction, renewable energy, Islamic finance and halal industries.
Addressing the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Wednesday, President Dr Muizzu said the Maldives is entering a period of significant economic and physical transformation and encouraged Pakistani enterprises to position themselves early in sectors where demand and investment opportunities are rapidly growing.
The forum formed part of the broader engagement marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, with the President describing the relationship between the two countries as one founded on longstanding friendship, Islamic solidarity and mutual respect. While political relations and diplomatic trust remain strong, he said there is considerable scope to deepen commercial cooperation and substantially increase bilateral trade.
President Dr Muizzu highlighted the commitment of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to raise bilateral trade between the two countries to US$200 million within the next two years, describing stronger private-sector participation as essential to achieving that ambition.
Tourism remains one of the strongest areas through which greater economic cooperation could be developed. The Maldives welcomes more than two million international tourists annually and continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most recognised premium island destinations. Its tourism industry is supported by an extensive network of island resorts, hotels, guesthouses, tourism service providers and related businesses spread across the archipelago.
Maldivian resorts operate in geographically dispersed island locations, creating continuous demand for reliable imports, high-quality food products, logistics services, construction materials, furnishings, technology, healthcare supplies, energy solutions and other goods required for resort operations. The expansion and upgrading of tourism properties also generate opportunities for international companies with expertise in resort development, engineering, interior solutions, refrigeration, food processing and specialised supply-chain services.
With tourism continuing to expand across the country, Pakistani companies could explore opportunities not only as exporters to the Maldives but also as suppliers and long-term commercial partners to resorts, tourism developers and hospitality businesses. The Government’s wider development policies are also expected to support investment in emerging tourism zones and associated infrastructure, creating further opportunities for businesses seeking entry into the Maldivian market.
President Dr Muizzu said resilient supply chains are particularly important for the Maldives because of the country’s geography and its dependence on international trade. He invited Pakistani businesses to invest in cold-chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, modern food-processing facilities and climate-adaptive agricultural technologies that could improve food security and strengthen the supply of quality products to both local communities and the tourism industry.
The President also emphasised the importance of improved maritime connectivity, describing sea transport as an economic lifeline for an island nation. He called for the development of direct sea corridors between the Maldives and Pakistan, which could reduce transportation barriers, expand trade volumes and improve the movement of goods between the two countries.
Greater air connectivity is also expected to support business and tourism ties. President Dr Muizzu announced that the national airline, Maldivian, aims to establish direct flights between Malé and Karachi in the near future. Such a connection could provide greater convenience for business travellers, investors and tourists while supporting trade and closer people-to-people relations between the two countries.
Healthcare was another important area highlighted at the forum. The President welcomed certified Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers to explore opportunities in the Maldives, where demand continues to grow for high-quality medicines, medical products and healthcare services.
Pakistan has an established pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, and stronger commercial cooperation in this area could help diversify the Maldives’ sources of essential medical supplies while supporting the Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services across the country.
President Dr Muizzu also outlined the extensive infrastructure transformation currently taking place in the Maldives through housing developments, land reclamation, urban expansion and connectivity projects. He invited Pakistani construction, engineering and technology companies to contribute their expertise, investment and technical capacity to these national development programmes.
The Government is undertaking major infrastructure development with the objective of improving living conditions, expanding economic activity and strengthening connectivity throughout the country. These projects are opening new opportunities for international contractors, engineering firms, suppliers and investors capable of participating in large-scale construction and development programmes.
Renewable energy was highlighted as another priority sector. The President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to generating 33 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2028 and encouraged Pakistani investors and technology providers to explore opportunities in solar power, energy storage, efficient energy systems and related infrastructure.
For the Maldives, renewable energy investment carries particular economic importance because island communities and tourism facilities operate across a widely dispersed geography. Expanding cleaner and more efficient energy solutions has the potential to reduce dependence on imported fuel, improve energy security and support more sustainable economic growth.
President Dr Muizzu also identified significant opportunities in Shariah-compliant finance, sukuk, halal products and halal tourism. With the Maldives being a Muslim country and maintaining strong demand for Islamic financial products, the Government sees considerable potential for greater cooperation with Pakistani financial institutions, investors and businesses specialising in Islamic finance and halal value chains.
The growth of Shariah-compliant financial services could support infrastructure development, private-sector investment and the expansion of businesses seeking financing structures that comply with Islamic principles. Sukuk and other Islamic financial instruments could also provide additional mechanisms for mobilising investment into major development projects.
The President encouraged businesses to view the Maldives as more than a destination for exporting goods. He said the country could serve as a strategic platform from which Pakistani businesses can build partnerships, establish market presence and potentially expand products and services into wider international markets.
The Maldives’ internationally connected tourism economy, strategic location in the Indian Ocean and growing infrastructure ambitions offer businesses an environment where investments can serve both the domestic economy and a global customer base.
President Dr Muizzu reaffirmed that the Government remains committed to maintaining a supportive and investor-friendly regulatory environment and to working closely with businesses seeking sustainable, mutually beneficial opportunities in the Maldives.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum alongside Maldivian and Pakistani entrepreneurs and business leaders. He also encouraged companies from both countries to take advantage of the emerging investment opportunities and to strengthen direct commercial partnerships.
The forum reflected the Government’s broader effort to diversify the Maldivian economy, strengthen international trade links and attract credible foreign investment into priority sectors. By encouraging Pakistani businesses to participate in tourism, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, renewable energy, Islamic finance and other industries, the administration is seeking to translate the longstanding friendship between the two countries into deeper economic cooperation and lasting commercial partnerships.
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