Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has stated that international franchise businesses will only be permitted to operate in the Maldives under specific established regulations, even within the scope of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and the Maldives. While the restaurant industry is generally reserved for Maldivian citizens, opportunities for franchises in specialized areas such as resorts and airports are facilitated through the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. This agreement, which was formulated following extensive negotiations between 2015 and 2017, is also expected to provide Maldivian entrepreneurs with favorable opportunities to access the Chinese market. The government is currently working in collaboration with the business community to address concerns regarding the agreement, which came into effect on January 1, 2025.
