SL-Maldives Business Council 18th AGM: MoU Signed to Boost Bilateral Trade & SME Growth 📈

• Bilateral Trade & Market Performance - Total SL-Maldives bilateral trade reached US$ 137 Mn (2025 SL exports: US$ 132 Mn; imports from Maldives: US$ 5 Mn). - SL’s share of Maldivian imports improved to 4.7% in 2025 (up from 4.4% in 2024), against total Maldivian imports of US$ 3.6 Bn in 2025 (up from US$ 2 Bn in 2016). • Key Sectors & Growth Opportunities - MoU signed between Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Maldives Business Chamber to drive private-sector B2B ties. - Focus on expanding SL enterprises and SMEs into hospitality, construction, renewable energy, education, digital transformation, healthcare, and professional services. - High potential identified to boost trade in tea (black tea & packaging), fresh fruit, vegetables, wheat flour, and electrical conductors. - Strategic efforts underway to position SL as a primary destination for Maldivian medical treatment under the Aasandha Scheme. • Labor Mobility & Financial Integration - Over 30,100 Sri Lankans are employed in the Maldives; Maldivian residents in SL stand at ~1,700. - Proposals submitted to establish a Bank of Maldives branch in Sri Lanka to enhance financial connectivity. - SLMBC and EDB to organize a dedicated Sri Lanka Pavilion at the 20th Hotel Asia Exhibition in Maldives (Sept 28–30, 2026).