President Muizzu Defines Strategic Investment Areas Under Special Economic Zones Law

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially outlined the permitted economic activities and corresponding minimum investment thresholds under the Maldives’ Special Economic Zones (SEZ) framework, as per Act No. 24/2014. The announcement was made via Presidential Decree No. 1/2025, issued on Sunday.

Under the decree, investment opportunities in SEZs are classified into two key categories:

Strategic Projects requiring a minimum investment of USD 100 million

Sustainable Township Development Projects with a minimum investment threshold of USD 500 million

Strategic Investment Areas – Minimum USD 100 Million
Investments meeting or exceeding USD 100 million must focus on at least 50% of the following priority sectors:

Export-oriented manufacturing

Development of transshipment ports, international logistics, seaports, airports, bulk breaking, bunkering, and docking services

Establishment of universities, tertiary and super-specialist hospitals, and international research institutions

ICT parks and related infrastructure

International financial services and trade hubs

Renewable energy projects

Introduction of innovative technologies to the Maldives

Food security enhancement initiatives

Gas exploration activities

Sustainable Township Development – Minimum USD 500 Million
For proposals falling under this category, the entire investment amount must be dedicated exclusively to components of sustainable township development.

This policy signals the government’s strategic focus on attracting large-scale, high-impact investments aimed at advancing economic diversification, sustainability, and global competitiveness in the Maldives.