Maldives and China can pursue mutually beneficial cooperation
Expo provides an opportunity to showcase Chinese products
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said the China–Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum will facilitate in-depth discussions on priority areas for development and help create practical business opportunities.
Minister Saeed made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum.
He described the forum as an important platform for strengthening economic ties and expanding business cooperation between the two countries. He said it would help identify opportunities that could contribute to the Maldives’ development and enable both sides to focus their efforts on key sectors.
Although the Maldivian and Chinese economies differ considerably, the minister noted that there are numerous opportunities for the two countries to work together on initiatives that deliver mutual benefits. He described the forum as a strong foundation for a new phase of economic cooperation.
“This forum demonstrates the commitment of both countries to strengthening business relations and expanding cooperation. Holding the forum alongside Maldives Expo 2026 represents further progress in these efforts,” Minister Saeed said.
The minister also highlighted the opportunities presented by the ongoing Maldives Expo, saying it would allow Chinese companies to showcase their products, technologies and expertise.
He further noted that relations between the Maldives and China had been elevated to a higher level in 2024 under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the minister, bilateral relations are built on trade, investment, infrastructure development and people-to-people ties.
Minister Saeed described the Maldives–China Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, as a major milestone in the two countries’ economic relations. He said the current priority was to make full use of the opportunities created by the agreement and further increase bilateral trade.
The minister also acknowledged China’s significant contribution to the Maldives’ infrastructure development, adding that relations between the two countries had strengthened further under President Muizzu’s leadership.
