Open your business with a local partner
Many of the most accessible businesses in the Maldives — guesthouses, cafés, trades, retail supply — work best as a joint venture between a foreign investor and a trusted Maldivian partner. We help you scope it, meet the right partner, and set it up properly through licensed counsel.
The smart way in for a smaller business
Smaller businesses in the Maldives are often weighted toward, or reserved for, Maldivian nationals. A properly structured joint venture is often what makes a smaller business both possible and legal.
Opens the door
Several smaller activities favour or require Maldivian participation. A local partner is often what makes the venture possible.
Local know-how
Island permits, staff, freight and suppliers are local matters. A partner on the ground saves you months.
Clear agreement
Ownership, profit split, roles and exit are written up by licensed counsel before any money moves.
Shared risk
A committed local partner has a stake beside you, so both sides want the business to work.
Businesses that often work as a joint venture
A starting list, not a promise. What’s open to foreign investors, and on what terms, varies by activity — we confirm yours with the Ministry before you commit anything.
Guesthouses & island stays
Typically local-partner ledCafés, restaurants & F&B
Usually a local JVDive, watersports & excursions
Operator licensing appliesRetail & convenience
Often local-reserved — JV routeWholesale, import & distribution
Threshold & partner applyConstruction, trades & fit-out
Contractor licensing appliesFacilities, maintenance & cleaning
Resort supply chainsTransfers, boats & logistics
Permits applyAgriculture, hydroponics & aquaculture
Land lease via partnerHandicrafts & local products
Local productionLaundry & support services
B2B resort supplyDigital, marketing & creative
Often the most openHealth, wellness & spa
Professional licensing appliesEvents, weddings & photography
Tourism-linkedSmall-scale solar & efficiency
JV & procurement routesProfessional & support services
Scope variesFrom idea to a licensed joint venture
Scope the venture
What you want to build, the capital you’re bringing, and your role — hands-on or backing partner.
Confirm eligibility
We check the activity, ownership limits and thresholds with the authorities first. If it isn’t open to you, you hear it before you spend.
Find a partner
We introduce a vetted local partner suited to your venture, with basic identity and background checks both ways.
Put it in writing
Licensed Maldivian lawyers draft the joint-venture agreement — ownership split, roles, profit share, disputes and exit.
Register & license
Company registration and the permits your activity needs. You pay government fees directly to the government.
Launch & keep compliant
Ongoing compliance, renewals and support so the venture stays on the right side of the rules as it grows.
Joint venture questions
Can a foreigner own a guesthouse in the Maldives?
Guesthouses and local-island tourism are typically local-partner led, so foreign participation is usually a joint venture rather than full ownership. Eligibility should be confirmed with the Ministry of Economic Development before you commit.
What is the minimum investment?
Minimum capital varies by activity and is set by Maldivian law, not by us. We confirm the requirement for your specific business before you spend anything.
How do I find a trustworthy local partner?
We introduce vetted Maldivian partners suited to your venture, run basic checks both ways, and have licensed counsel put the ownership split, roles, profit share and exit terms in writing.
Tell us what you want to open. We’ll tell you how.
Send us a short message about your business idea. We’ll tell you honestly which route fits, what it involves — and whether you even need us.
For serious investment enquiries, email contactmaldivesnow@gmail.com with a few details: your type of business, sector, intended investment size and timeline.
OfficeM. Sathaha, Sayyid Kilegefaanu Magu, K. Male’, Republic of Maldives
CompanyContact Maldives Pvt Ltd · Reg. No. C14532024