Minister of Finance and National Planning Moosa Zameer has warned that inaccurate reporting on the state of the Maldivian economy undermine investor confidence and ultimately harm the wider public.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Finance Minister Moosa Zameer said public participation and responsible discourse are essential to further strengthening the country’s economic position.
The minister said some investors perceive the Maldivian economy as fragile or fundamentally different from those of other countries. He rejected that characterisation, arguing that the Maldives remains competitive in the global trade market. While acknowledging that external competitors may seek to limit the country’s progress, he said he was concerned that damaging narratives were also emerging domestically.
The minister said investors have raised concerns about certain media reports on the Maldives’ economic and financial situation. He noted that such reporting has, in some cases, forced investors to seek additional financial statements and clarifications from relevant institutions, complicating investment decisions.
“Of course, there will be people who compete with us .. including among ourselves,” the minister said. “I am surprised that some media outlets have written in such a hostile manner about the Maldives over the past year.” He stressed that safeguarding investor confidence is critical to restoring and sustaining economic momentum, adding that misleading or exaggerated claims can have long-term consequences.
The minister’s remarks come amid a recent rise in what officials describe as unfounded claims about the national economy. Economic analysts have warned that spreading unverified information, particularly for political purposes, risks weakening confidence and could ultimately have the greatest impact on ordinary citizens.