President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the launch of PayPal in the Maldives has opened new opportunities for Maldivians to establish themselves in the international marketplace, removing long-standing barriers that prevented individuals and businesses from fully participating in the global digital economy.

Speaking at the official launch of PayPal services in the Maldives, the President said many young Maldivians had previously expressed frustration over the difficulties of accessing international payment systems despite having the skills, products and services to compete globally. He noted that while Maldivians had long been able to send money abroad and purchase goods and services from overseas, receiving payments and selling products to international markets had remained a significant challenge.

President Dr Muizzu said the introduction of PayPal marks the end of those limitations and is part of a strategy to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure and expand economic opportunities. He described the service as one element of the Government's wider Vision 2040 agenda, which aims to transform the Maldives into a developed, high-income nation.

The President said economic diversification would be essential to achieving that goal, adding that the country could no longer rely solely on traditional sectors. He stated that the Government aims for the digital economy to contribute at least 15 per cent of national GDP by 2030 and said initiatives such as PayPal are intended to support that target.

Highlighting ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, President Dr Muizzu said the agreement with Google to bring the Dhivaru international submarine cable to the Maldives was part of the same vision. He noted that the project would help position the Maldives as a hub for advanced digital infrastructure and strengthen the country's connectivity to global markets.

The President also highlighted the Government's Maldives 2.0 policy, which is being coordinated through the President's Office and implemented across ministries, government agencies and State-owned enterprises. He said the initiative is aimed at accelerating digital transformation, improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic barriers to business and public services.

President Dr Muizzu further said the Government is working to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, freelancers, creators and small businesses through targeted financial programmes, infrastructure projects and policy reforms. He pointed to the Creative Economy Council, the ongoing construction of the Creator Hub in Malé, and plans to develop regional facilities for traditional industries as part of broader efforts to support innovation and economic growth.

Urging Maldivians to make full use of the opportunities now available, the President said local businesses, artisans, tourism operators and digital entrepreneurs should seek to expand their reach beyond the domestic market. He said the Government's objective is to ensure that products and services from every part of the Maldives can compete in the global economy and that geography would no longer limit economic opportunity for Maldivians.