President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has established the permitted economic activities and minimum investment thresholds for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the Maldives under the Special Economic Zones Act (Act No. 24/2014).
The announcement was made on Sunday through Presidential Decree No. 1/2025.
Under the new decree, SEZ investments have been categorized into two main types: strategic investments with a minimum investment requirement of $100 million, and sustainable township development projects requiring investments of $500 million.
Among strategic investments, nine types of economic activities have been identified under the $100 million investment category. These include export-oriented manufacturing activities, transshipment ports, international logistics, ports, airports, bulk breaking, bunkering, and docking services. Other permitted investments include universities, tertiary hospitals, specialty hospitals, world-class research and development facilities, ICT parks, international financial services, international trade centres, and renewable energy projects. The decree also allows for activities introducing new technologies currently unavailable in the Maldives, investments in the food security sector, and gas exploration activities.
For sustainable township development projects, the decree mandates a minimum investment of $500 million, which must be specifically allocated to sustainable development components.
The introduction of these investment categories aims to attract large-scale foreign and domestic investors, driving economic diversification and long-term development in the Maldives.
The announcement was made on Sunday through Presidential Decree No. 1/2025.
Under the new decree, SEZ investments have been categorized into two main types: strategic investments with a minimum investment requirement of $100 million, and sustainable township development projects requiring investments of $500 million.
Among strategic investments, nine types of economic activities have been identified under the $100 million investment category. These include export-oriented manufacturing activities, transshipment ports, international logistics, ports, airports, bulk breaking, bunkering, and docking services. Other permitted investments include universities, tertiary hospitals, specialty hospitals, world-class research and development facilities, ICT parks, international financial services, international trade centres, and renewable energy projects. The decree also allows for activities introducing new technologies currently unavailable in the Maldives, investments in the food security sector, and gas exploration activities.
For sustainable township development projects, the decree mandates a minimum investment of $500 million, which must be specifically allocated to sustainable development components.
The introduction of these investment categories aims to attract large-scale foreign and domestic investors, driving economic diversification and long-term development in the Maldives.
