SME Credit Gap Assessment – Maldives

The assignment involved a comprehensive assessment of the SME finance landscape in the Maldives, with Dr Bilal Ahmad contributing through the broader advisory effort. The work reviewed the existing financing ecosystem, identified key gaps in access to credit, and developed practical recommendations to strengthen financial inclusion, particularly for women-led enterprises. The engagement combined desk research, stakeholder consultations with ministries, financial institutions, and SME associations, and a nationwide survey covering both demand and supply sides to estimate the SME financing gap and inform targeted solutions.