President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that China's investments in the Maldives will serve as the benchmark or standard when selecting development partners in the future.

Speaking at the inauguration of the "China-Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum" today, the President noted that developmental projects carried out in the Maldives with Chinese assistance have advanced the nation's infrastructural development while establishing connectivity and basic public services.

The President stated that when seeking investments, the Maldives does not look solely at upfront capital, but rather evaluates the industries created, skills developed, jobs generated, and opportunities unlocked by those investments.

"Going forward, when selecting development partners, we will look at this standard: sustainable economic value and the development and progress brought to the everyday lives of the general public," the President said.

The President also highlighted that the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China on January 1, 2025, marks a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations, providing Maldivian businesses with a powerful impetus to compete by connecting with one of the world's largest markets.

"The early results of this agreement have been very promising. From January 2025 through August 2026, the Maldives imported approximately USD 440 million worth of goods from China," the President stated.

The President emphasized that the goal is not merely to increase trade volumes, but to foster deeper trade relations and extend the benefits of economic cooperation to citizens across all corners of the Maldives.

Furthermore, the President shared that between January and September of this year, over 73,000 transactions totaling approximately USD 11 million were conducted in the Maldives via Alipay and WeChat Pay.

"This is an arrangement that provides seamless payment convenience for Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives while benefiting Maldivian businesses," the President said.

The President added that digital platforms like Alibaba are also opening up new avenues for Maldivian suppliers and producers to reach customers in China and other global markets.