Maldivian businesses are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad and Sri Lanka remains a natural and strategic destination for their expansion, Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives said addressing the Maldives-Sri Lanka Business Forum held yesterday in Colombo.
“Equally, we hope to see greater openness for Maldivian enterprises in Sri Lanka. Two-way investment flows are essential for a balanced and durable economic relationship. As we look ahead, it is clear that our cooperation must also reflect the evolving realities of our region. The Indian Ocean is our shared lifeline for our economies, our people and our future. Its stability, sustainability and resilience are fundamental to the prosperity of both our nations. For the Maldives, as a small island developing state, these issues are not abstract. They shape our policy priorities, our infrastructure needs and our long-term planning. And while our vulnerabilities may differ, both Sri Lanka and Maldives have common interests in safeguarding our ocean, strengthening our infrastructure and building a region that can withstand the challenges of the coming decades. This is why I believe partnerships such as ours must go beyond traditional trade and investment. They must embrace resilience, environmental, economic and infrastructural. They must drive innovation in the way we design cities, ports, energy systems and tourism for a changing world,” the Maldivian President said.
Muizzu said Sri Lanka’s proximity, capacity and long-standing familiarity with the Maldivian market positions the country as a central partner in this journey. He said Sri Lanka businesses already play an essential role in Maldives tourism, construction and services sector. Both Sri Lanka and Maldives have common interests in safeguarding the ocean, strengthening infrastructure and building a region that can withstand the challenges of the coming decades.
“This is why I believe partnerships such as ours must go beyond traditional trade and investment. They must embrace resilience, environmental, economic and infrastructural. They must drive innovation in the way we design cities, ports, energy systems and tourism for a changing world,” Muizzu added.
Source: Daily News
