Maldives to hold a second investment forum in China

The Maldives will hold a second investment forum in China’s capital Beijing in September, the economic development minister has said.

“Beijing will be a perfect place for Maldivian businesses to promote their businesses and networking,” minister Mohamed Saeed said in a tweet.

Maldives Investment Forum #MIF2015, set 2 be in Beijing this September. A perfect place 4 Maldivian biz's 2 do their promo's n networking.

— Mohamed Saeed (@em_saeed) May 27, 2015

The first investment forum was held in Singapore in April 2014.

At the time, President Abdulla Yameen had sought investors for the ‘I-havan’ project to develop a port in the north, oil exploration, the development of Hulhumale and relocation of the business port to Thilafushi Island, and the development of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

In November 2014, the president declared a foreign policy shift to the East, after denouncing “Western colonial powers.”

The China and Maldives have signed several MOU’s to increase cooperation in the military and health sectors, and the Maldives is now a partner in China’s maritime silk route.

Chinese experts are currently conducting a feasibility study for a bridge between Malé and Hulhumalé.