President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has re-established the types of economic activities permitted in the Maldives’ Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the minimum investment thresholds required, stated under a Presidential Decree.
The changes were announced through Presidential Decree No. 1/2026, as per the Special Economic Zones Act (Act No 24/2014), which requires the government to annually review and publish the scope of activities allowed in SEZs, following suggestions from the Board of Investments.
Under the amended framework, strategic investments in SEZs must have a required minimum value of USD 100 million, while sustainable township development projects must consists of investments of atleast USD 500 million. The decree specifically states that the full USD 500 million must be allocated directly to sustainable township development specifications.
Nine categories of economic activity have been approved under the USD 100 million threshold. These include export focused manufacturing; transhipment ports and international logistics services; ports, airports, bunkering and docking facilities; universities, tertiary and specialty hospitals; and world-class research and development centres.
The decree also allows for investments in information and communication technology parks, international financial services and trade centres, renewable energy projects, food security initiatives, and activities introducing technologies not currently available in the Maldives. Gas, oil and mineral exploration activities are also included.
Presidential Decree No 1/2026 follows a review of the previous year’s decree and has been published in the Government Gazette, as required by law.
The move is part of the government’s broader effort to bring forth large scale foreign investment and position SEZs as centers for strategic and high value economic activity.