The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India were the primary sources of imported goods to the Maldives during the first two months of 2025.

Goods worth USD 619.2 million were imported during this period, reflecting a 1.4 per cent increase compared to USD 612.2 million in the same period last year.

According to MMA, imports from the Maldives’ top three trading partners — the UAE, India, and China — saw notable growth. The UAE remained the leading exporter, with goods valued at USD 152.3 million imported into the Maldives, marking a 55 per cent increase year-on-year. India followed closely, exporting goods worth USD 116.3 million, which represented a 37.2 per cent rise compared to USD 84.8 million during the same period in the previous year. Imports from China totalled USD 107 million, up 35.1 per cent from USD 79.2 million.

In contrast, imports from Singapore saw a significant decline. Goods imported from Singapore amounted to USD 43.8 million this year — a 29.1 per cent drop from USD 61.8 million in the same period last year.

The Government has been actively working to strengthen trade relations and facilitate business with a wider range of countries. In this regard, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China came into effect on January 1, 2025, and discussions are ongoing to enable trade between India and the Maldives using their respective local currencies. Furthermore, an agreement has been signed with Turkey to grant the Maldives special trade privileges, aimed at simplifying the import and export of goods between the two nations.