Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is organizing an investment forum to attract local and international investors to public-private partnership projects proposed by island and city councils.
The forum will form part of the party’s annual congress, scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 October.
MDP officials said the forum will provide councils with an opportunity to present development projects directly to potential investors.
Former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has invited investors to participate in the forum in a post on X, saying councils will present more than 100 projects that have been identified as financially viable and suitable for bank financing.
“Investment opportunities are open to both Maldivian and international investors,” Nasheed said in a post on X.
The investment forum, "Rahvehi Tharahggee Investment Forum", is intended to connect councils seeking funding with businesses and investors interested in developing projects outside the capital.
MDP Deputy Chairperson Mohamed Shifaz said the party had received proposals for dozens of projects from councils and was working towards presenting more than 100 at the forum.
According to the website made specially for the congress, projects submitted by island and city councils to be registered for the forum stand at 74 currently.
The projects cover a range of sectors, reflecting the different development priorities of councils across the country.
The proposals submitted so far include:
- 11 tourism projects
- Nine agriculture and mariculture projects
- Seven logistics and infrastructure projects
- Seven climate change and environmental projects
- Seven business and real estate projects
- Seven fisheries and island-centred product projects
- Five energy projects
- Eight projects involving schools, health centres and social services
Former President Nasheed said councils had prepared their project proposals with assistance from the MDP’s project office.
The party has said the forum is intended not only to showcase projects but also to establish direct links between councils and potential investors, with the aim of moving viable proposals towards implementation. Shifaz said the initiative followed discussions with local councils about identifying projects that could generate investment and contribute to island development.
Shifaz said thousands of MDP members had already registered to attend the congress, during a media briefing held yesterday.
