Maldivian business leaders shown investment opportunities at Port City Colombo

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in the Republic of Maldives, in collaboration with CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, hosted the "Port City Colombo Investor Forum" at Barceló Nasandhura Male’ today, exclusively for senior Maldivian business leaders and investors.

The forum marks a significant step in deepening the economic relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Following successful forums in Singapore, the UAE, and Oman earlier this year, this event is part of a structured regional engagement program. Spanning 269 hectares, Port City Colombo is Sri Lanka’s flagship Special Economic Zone (SEZ), offering a strategic platform for Maldivian businesses looking to expand their presence across South Asia.Opening the forum, H.E. Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, noted that the two nations are among the Indian Ocean’s closest neighbors, connected by geography and culture. He emphasized that Port City Colombo represents a timely opportunity to translate this long-standing relationship into a new dimension of economic partnership.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, Chairperson of Visit Maldives and President of MATATO, called for the next chapter of the Maldives-Sri Lanka relationship to be defined by investment, innovation, and commercial partnerships, moving beyond traditional trade and tourism. Sharing his first-hand experience, Mr. Riyaz highlighted that the city is already operational with connected utilities, occupied office spaces, and a duty-free mall, urging serious investors to explore the opportunities available.

Port City Colombo offers a unique proposition for the Maldivian market, including 100 percent foreign ownership, the ability to transact in 16 designated foreign currencies, and full capital and profit repatriation. Furthermore, the presence of Sri Lankan banks in the Maldives—such as Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, and Hatton National Bank—provides a familiar gateway for Maldivian investors. Notably, Commercial Bank has already opened a branch within the SEZ.

Concluding the forum, Ms. Bai Xiaping, Assistant Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo, reaffirmed that the Maldives is a priority market in their regional outreach strategy. The USD 15 billion development is envisioned as a world-class international business and lifestyle hub, positioned to drive significant economic growth and knowledge transfer in South Asia.