The Maldives economy has its major base in the area of international tourism with a total of 87 specially designated tourist resort islands that have been developed in special arrangements between national governments and private international investors, many of which are household name chain hotel brands such as Hilton, Sheraton, Vermillion and Four seasons.

Tourism provides the Maldives economy with most of its employment not only in internationally owned hotels but also in local Maldives business ventures such as dive schools and eating establishments and many other areas that cater for tourists needs.

There are national government institutions that provide tourism related employment such as the international airport and the Maldives tourist board. There is a lot of indirect tourism employment as well such a fishermen and small farmers who sell their goods to hotels and restaurants, or a carpenter that makes a living doing minor repairs at tourist related Maldives business establishments.

Tourism is vastly important to the Maldives economy but it is not the nation’s only source of income. Agriculture is also an important part of the national and local economy, although with limited viable land there is no room for expansion so income is somewhat limited by resources. Millet and sweet potatoes are two of the main island crops as well as Bataten, pumpkins, coconut palms and cassava.

The problem with food sales is that because of the lack of land, imports of foods stuffs far out weighs home grown production putting pressure on basic food prices. Not surprisingly fishing is a part of the Maldives economy with tuna and bonito brought home in reasonably high numbers.  There is also the preparation of “Dive Male fish,” a kind of dried fish, mainly exported to Japan.

There are also cottage industry Maldives business activities mostly concerned with handicrafts such as coconut mats, ropes, lacquer work and carvings and the textile factory. These are sold locally and also exported to the country’s main trading partners, Britain, Sri Lanka, Germany and Japan.

The Maldives are statistically amongst the poorest countries in the world but very wisely the government has placed a heavy emphasis on future Maldives business establishment by investing in their biggest resource, their children. With a well respected education system, 99% of all children can read and write, higher than in many wealthy western countries.

The obvious hope is that these young people will be able to bring a new educated attitude to the Maldives economy to help in the further development of tourism and hopefully spread Maldives business into new directions to secure the Maldives economy for future generations.

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