Maldives looks to broaden trade links with Sri Lanka

Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Zahiya Zareer signing the visitors’ book of the Ceylon Chamber

Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Zahiya Zareer invited Sri Lankan firms to invest in development projects in Maldives.

“We are opening big projects for International bidding, such as airport development, housing, hospitals and renewable power projects,” she said during a meeting with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held early this week.

“Even now there are big Sri Lankan companies operating in Maldives and we would like other interesting companies to bid for various projects,” she added during a meeting with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO Dhara Wijayatilake.

Zareer was also of the view that Sri Lanka and Maldives should look to build more commercial ties, moving away from the traditionally traded goods between the two nations, such as fruits, vegetables and fisheries.

In response, Wijayatilake said, “We can look at potential synergies existing between the two nations to explore more opportunities.”

Education and health services were discussed as potential areas that could be further developed.

During discussions, it was revealed that more than 5,000 Sri Lankans are working in Maldives, mainly in the tourism sector, while over 10,000 Maldivian nationals are living in Sri Lanka for various purposes such as education.

Senior Assistant Secretary General Lilakshini De Mel of the Ceylon Chamber, Mohamed A. Waheed, Counselor and Ali Nasih, Second Secretary of the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka also attended the meeting.