A well-developed domestic capital market with broad participation is crucial to strengthening the Maldivian economy and enhancing financial security for the public, Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer said on Wednesday.
Delivering the keynote address at the Maldives Finance Forum 2025, organised by the Maldives Pension Administration Office, Minister Zameer highlighted the country’s continued reliance on the banking sector, despite consistent year-on-year economic growth.
“Banks alone cannot meet the financing needs of infrastructure, trade, housing, tourism, and the emerging blue economy,” he stated.
He emphasised that public finances are insufficient to fund the scale of development projects required for national progress. To achieve sustainable development, the Minister called for strengthening domestic revenue systems and reducing dependence on foreign aid and borrowing.
He underscored the importance of a robust capital market in mobilising long-term savings, broadening financing options, and driving economic growth.
Minister Zameer advocated for the introduction of diverse investment instruments, including bonds, sukuk, and green and blue bonds, aligned with the Maldives’ sustainability objectives. He also stressed the need to ensure capital market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses, promoting inclusive economic participation.
“These goals can only be achieved through collaborative efforts by the government, regulators, private sector, institutional investors, and the public,” he said. “The growth of the capital market must be a shared responsibility.”
The Maldives Finance Forum 2025 convened key stakeholders to explore the future of financial development in the country, with a focus on innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.
