Maldives unveils $20B Emirati investment project, largest in archipelago's history

The Maldives announced a $20 billion investment project led by UAE's Eagle Hills, covering over 500 hectares and expected to create 54,000 jobs. This follows a prior $8.8 billion agreement with a Dubai firm for a free trade zone, signaling deepening Gulf investment amid the country's financial difficulties. The scale and timing suggest a strategic pivot toward Gulf financing to address fiscal strain.