As part of efforts to open Maldives’ capital market to foreign investors, the Capital Market Development Authority has authorized First National Finance Corporation to operate as a Capital Market Entry Agent for investors seeking to invest in securities offered in the Maldives.

First National has established its first internal Shariah Advisory Committee to provide expert guidance on the development and review of Shariah-compliant products.

This year, First National started exploring international markets, including Luxembourg, Mauritius, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and most recently, Kingdom of Bahrain. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to broadening the range of business opportunities available to both existing and new clients.

The Maldives has marked a significant milestone with the launch of its first-ever blended finance initiative, a collaboration between First National Finance Corporation (First National) and the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) to develop MRC’s land in Hulhumalé.

First National Finance Corporation joins the global World Investor Week (WIW) campaign organized by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to promote investor education and financial literacy in the Maldives. Running from October 6th to 12th, the initiative brings together participants from around the world to raise awareness on the importance of informed investing and investor protection.

First National Real Estate and Hospitality Fund Plc convenes its first inaugural Annual General Meeting on 30th September 2025. Shareholders were given an overview of the 2024 financial year and an outlook for the rest of the year.

First National welcomes the strategic direction taken by the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA) in opening the Maldives’ domestic capital market to foreign investors for the first time in over four decades. This initiative, supported by legislative reforms enacted in 2024, will broaden the capital market by making it more accessible to the international investor community. These reforms will enable Maldives to attract essential investment into private sector, thereby lowering the cost of capital, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

When considering how best to invest your earnings for the future, shares can be a valuable option. Only public limited companies are permitted to offer shares to the public. In the Maldives, individuals and institutional investors who wish to participate in the capital market have the opportunity to invest in companies listed on the Maldives Stock Exchange and when a new public companies issue shares.

Spending changes as our lives change. In our twenties, money often flows toward coffees out, travel, or the latest tech—the things that make life feel exciting and social. By middle age, priorities shift. Mortgages, children, and family obligations start to shape how we allocate every paycheck. And later, as retirement nears, healthcare and sustaining a comfortable lifestyle become the focus.

Be it for education, vacation, or retirement, people strive to save as much of their income as possible. With the right strategy, these savings can grow meaningfully over time. Our goal is to create and build awareness of the opportunities available to secure a stable financial future. In this article, we explore bonds and sukuk as investment options that can help those who save and achieve their financial goals.