The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) will establish a Hub Office in the Maldives with Mohamed Ali Janah designated the agency’s Country Chair. Janah is also currently Principal Advisor to the President on Trade and Investment.

According to CWEIC the Hub Office will act as a focal point for Commonwealth businesses looking to explore investment, trade and business opportunities in the Maldives, facilitating introductions to state entities as well as the private sector.

The Hub office will also support Maldivian businesses looking to explore the diverse opportunities available in the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations whereby they will have the opportunities become CWEIC Strategic Partners and join event delegations and a programme of activities across the Commonwealth, the agency said.

With the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in Samoa in October, the new Hub opens at an opportune time for the Maldivian business community as it would provide an opportunity for the business community to explore the Commonwealth as it gathers in one place alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024, CWEIC said in a statement, adding that, now was the time to explore the Maldives when the new administration is looking to supercharge engagement with the private sector. The administration’s support for the new Hub Office highlights that the Maldives is open for business, CWEIC said.

Lord Jonathan Peter Marland, the current Chairman of CWEIC visited the country last February during a tour of Commonwealth nations in South Asia when, in addition to the Maldives, he visited Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Malaysia. Lord Marland, who had previously served as the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy as well as Minister for Energy and Climate Change and Business, Innovation and Skills, met with several senior government officials, including President Mohamed Muizzu, during his visit.

The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes trade, investment, and the role of the private sector across the 56 Commonwealth member states.