President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has re-established the types of economic activities permitted in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the Maldives and the minimum investment thresholds required, under the Special Economic Zones Act.

The SEZ Act requires the President to issue an annual decree, in consultation with the Board of Investments, specifying eligible economic activities and minimum investment levels. In line with this requirement, the previous Presidential Decree No. 1/2025 was reviewed and updated, and the revised provisions were published in the Government Gazette as part of the new decree.

Under the decree, permitted economic activities in SEZs must involve investments of at least USD 100 million. In addition, sustainable township development projects must have a minimum investment of USD 500 million, with the investment allocated specifically to sustainable township development components.

Nine strategic investment areas have been approved under the USD 100 million minimum threshold. These include export-oriented manufacturing, transhipment ports and international logistics services, ports and airports, universities and tertiary or specialty hospitals, world-class research and development facilities, ICT parks, international financial services and trade centres, renewable energy projects, new technologies not currently available in the Maldives, food security initiatives, and gas, oil, and mineral exploration activities.

The decree aims to guide large-scale investments in SEZs while supporting national development priorities and sustainable economic growth.