Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Maldives have agreed to initiate negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), a move expected to create new opportunities for businesses and further expand economic cooperation between the two countries. Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said the agreement was among the concrete pathways explored by both countries to expand trade and investment cooperation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muizzu also invited the Malaysian government and businesses to explore investment opportunities in the Maldives, particularly in strategic sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, construction, and Islamic finance. Later, speaking to Malaysian media, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that a PTA would provide greater clarity and certainty for businesses by establishing clear rules governing trade and investment between the two countries.

Anwar emphasised the potential to strengthen bilateral economic ties, highlighting that Malaysia is the second-largest ASEAN trading partner for the Maldives. He noted that Malaysia's exports to the Maldives exceeded US$184.1 million, while imports stood at US$1.3 million. Anwar also highlighted the Maldives' role as a key international tourism destination and suggested that Malaysia should capitalise on the strong ties between the two nations to boost economic and tourism collaboration.

Also present at the discussions were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives Badli Hisham Adam. Anwar's two-day official visit to the Maldives concludes today.