The recent "Global Trade and Development Cooperation" Forum, held in Colombo, saw active participation from the Maldives alongside several other South Asian nations.

Organised by the Sinhala Service of China Media Group, the event brought together distinguished representatives from the political, business, media, and academic sectors to discuss pressing economic issues and regional opportunities.

Among the delegates from the Maldives was Nasheeda Rasheed, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Maldives National University.

During her address, Nasheeda spoke about the profound effects of ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China on smaller economies such as the Maldives. She underlined the urgent need for these economies to diversify their business activities and invest in emerging sectors, particularly digital technologies and green industries, as a strategy to bolster economic resilience.

She also highlighted the challenges posed by export competition from neighbouring Asian countries, noting its adverse impact on the Maldivian economy.

Representatives from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan also shared insights into their own economic challenges and prospects during the forum.

The event concluded with a collective agreement among participants to strengthen regional economic cooperation. There was a shared commitment to leverage technological advancements to address the economic difficulties faced by member countries. Furthermore, it was proposed that such forums be institutionalised and held annually to ensure continued dialogue and collaboration.