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The government has succeeded in maintaining a steady flow of ODA assistance since graduation. However, the share of ODA allocated directly to trade sector development is comparatively small compared to social and environmental sectors. The bulk of ODA received for the last seven years has been predominately used for social and environment sector projects and more recently to develop economic infrastructure projects such as air and sea ports, roads, bridges, and energy projects.

During the period 2014-2015, government's Aid for Trade efforts were intensified. Active engagement with bilateral trade partners and international financial institutions has reaped benefits to attract increased ODA for strategic infrastructure development projects such as airport development, renewable energy installation and bridge construction. Such projects will address some of the supply side constraints impeding economic growth and trade.

The manifesto explicitly specifies the continuation of the open and liberal approach and an emphasis to deepen engagement with private sector, foreign investors and bilateral partners to help expand our export potential and develop enabling infrastructures, such as ports and airports, which are critical for Maldives to remain in the projected growth trajectory. The openness pledged however, is within the context of sustainability, good governance and targeted towards boosting the long-term productive capacity of the country. The policies also put a particular emphasis on diversifying the productive and tradable sectors, as defined in the National Diversification Strategy of 2012.

(...) Import restrictions and prohibitions on various items for, inter alia, religious, health, safety, security, and environmental reasons have remained generally unchanged during the review period. (...)

(...) Fisheries subsidies in the form of direct payments are granted to support fuel costs (2009-14), a minimum income level during the low season (2014 onwards) and installation of equipment for on board ice making facilities and for conversion of bigger fishing vessels to engage in longline fishing. The longline fishing policy and regime were changed to reflect illegal fishing and overfishing developments as well as domestic fishermen's interests/concerns; foreign participation in this type of fishery was ceased in 2010 and a catch allocation-based individual transferable quota (ITQ) scheme was established in 2014.(...)

Notwithstanding its land limitations and climatic risks, agriculture remains a crucial sector in terms of employment and therefore poverty reduction. Domestic producers receive support in the form of direct payments mainly distributed to compensate for loss of income due to natural disasters; as from 2014 the direct payments were replaced with insurance schemes for farmers as well as concessional loans to support agricultural development. (...)

Maldives remains fully import dependent on petroleum-based fuels with key activities like tourism and fishery being the main energy consumers. Action is being taken both at the border and investment level to promote renewable energy and address several constraints. (...)

Maldives shares many of the challenges of other small island developing states, including: high cost of public service provision and limited ability to exploit economies stemming from its small size; dependence on a few sectors; limited access to international markets due to its remoteness; and vulnerability to climate change and high cost of natural disasters. (...)

(...) Planned revenue raising measures included a tourism "green tax"; (...)

During the review period, Maldives' development agenda has been ambitious, working to cement newly established democratic institutions and taking a leading role in international efforts on climate change. The development of a comprehensive long-term national climate change adaptation strategy for Maldives could help mobilize grants and concessional loans.