Maldives Launches Dhinaf-48 Short-Term Fund to Diversify National Investment Market

The Maldives has introduced Dhinaf-48, the second series of the country's premier regulated short-term investment fund, offering USD 40 million in investment opportunities. Managed by Dhivehi Investment Partners (DIP) and licensed by the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA), the fund aims to provide competitive, low-risk returns in a financial landscape that has historically lacked diversified instruments. The launch follows the success of the inaugural Dhinaf-36 series, which completed its cycle in eight months without default. That initial tranche invested MVR 20 million across the tourism, construction, and trade finance sectors, proving the viability of the model for both novice and seasoned investors. Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, highlighted the fund's role in filling a critical gap in the nation's financial ecosystem. According to the Minister, such innovative products not only provide credible alternatives for investors but also channel essential capital into productive sectors of the economy. Dhinaf-48 will continue to focus on tourism, construction, and trade, offering investment terms ranging from six months to four years. By providing returns that exceed traditional market offerings, the fund allows participants to diversify their portfolios more effectively. To ensure stability, the fund has set specific eligibility criteria. Individual investors must have a minimum annual income of USD 64,850, while companies require a minimum annual income of USD 324,254. The minimum investment threshold for any participant is set at USD 3,242. While Minister Saeed acknowledged that the trading sector has largely remained a support industry for tourism rather than developing independently, he emphasized that initiatives like Dhinaf act as catalysts for broader economic diversification. By creating favorable opportunities for business investment, the government expects to stimulate growth across the entire Maldivian economy.