Foreign Investment: Investing in Maldives
Maldives
Maldives is an island nation situated to the south west of India and Sri Lanka with more than 1900 islands distributed over 19 atolls. The archipelago is strategically located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean. The country attracts over 1.2 million tourists annually and is a popular holiday destination among celebrities and high network individuals.
Economic and Legal
Maldives has a conducive business environment for foreign investors, with liberal trade environment, strong private business sector, educated and healthy young population, modern tax system supported with proper legal protection for foreign investments. Over the last 15 years the country has experienced a stable economic growth of more than 7% annually.
For a small country like the Maldives, Foreign Direct Investment plays a vital role in bringing economic growth and new technological advancements and thus welcome investments in areas such as technology, tourism and infrastructure.
Investment Incentives
- Right to 100% foreign ownership
- Legally backed investment guarantee
- Provision for overseas arbitration of disputes
- Long term contractual agreements and long term lease of land
- Discretion to use foreign managerial, technical and unskilled workers
- No foreign exchange restrictions
- No restrictions on the repatriations of dividend
Promoted Areas for Investment
Except for a few industries, most of the capital and technology intensive industries are open for foreign investment in Maldives, particularly the following:
- Tourism, investment in resorts and hotels
- Infrastructure projects
- Real Estate
Read our Investing in Maldives Guide 2019 for a brief overview of the Foreign Investment procedures in Maldives