President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has highlighted significant investment opportunities in the Maldives despite its small population, identifying tourism, industry, construction, education, and healthcare as sectors with potential for foreign investors.
Speaking at the opening of the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum, President Dr Muizzu explained that overseas business forums aim to showcase opportunities in the Maldives and attract international investment.
Highlighting the interconnected nature of the Maldivian and Pakistani economies, the President stressed the need to strengthen transport connectivity to expand bilateral trade. He also noted discussions on increasing trade between the two countries to USD 200 million within two years and expressed confidence in Pakistan's economic potential.
Turning to food security, President Dr Muizzu stressed that uninterrupted supply chains are a matter of national security for an island nation, rather than simply a commercial concern.
He urged investors not to underestimate the Maldivian market, which serves a population of approximately 500,000 alongside more than two million tourists annually.
Noting that Pakistan already supplies agricultural products to the Maldives, he invited Pakistani investors to explore opportunities in modern food processing and climate-related agricultural technologies.
Reflecting on 60 years of diplomatic relations, President Dr Muizzu highlighted the mutual trust and confidence underpinning ties between the Maldives and Pakistan, which he noted had remained free from deterioration.
President Dr Muizzu highlights prospects for direct Malé-Karachi flights
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed hope that the national airline Maldivian will soon introduce direct flights between Malé and Karachi, strengthening transport connectivity and opening new economic opportunities between the Maldives and Pakistan.
Speaking at the Maldives Business Forum in Islamabad, the President highlighted the economic benefits of stronger transport links, stressing that improved connectivity would facilitate trade and create further opportunities in tourism.
He encouraged shipping, port and logistics companies to establish direct, commercially viable maritime connections, while urging airlines, aviation authorities and private sector stakeholders to strengthen air links between the two countries.
President Dr Muizzu expressed hope that Maldivian would soon launch direct Malé-Karachi flights, making travel easier for citizens of both countries while supporting trade and tourism.
Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the importance of improving air connectivity, particularly to make it easier for Pakistani businesspeople and tourists to visit the Maldives for business and leisure.
Prime Minister Sharif noted that Pakistan had already begun working towards strengthening transport connections and had issued instructions to accelerate the process. He expressed hope that the necessary plans would be finalised soon, paving the way for services involving Pakistan International Airlines and other carriers.
Both countries recognised that improved transport connectivity would create further opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly in trade and tourism.