The China-Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum has opened, with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attending the opening ceremony.
More than 100 participants are taking part in the one-day forum in Bercelo Nasandhura, including representatives from over 40 Chinese companies. Five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening business ties are scheduled to be signed during the event.
The forum is organised jointly by the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade and the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives.
The Economic Ministry said the forum would facilitate further efforts to strengthen business relations between the two countries.
The Maldivian government has been working to create more opportunities for foreign investment in the country. As part of these efforts, business forums are being held in countries visited by President Muizzu on official trips abroad.
These forums bring together Maldivian and foreign business representatives to share information about investment opportunities in the Maldives and major projects planned by the government.
The current administration has so far held business forums in seven countries: China, the United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Pakistan. In India, forums have been held in three cities.
According to the Ministry, these forums have contributed to an increase in enquiries from prospective investors interested in investing in the Maldives, as well as the number of registered investments.