The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) took part in the Regional Research Roundtable of Central Banks, convened alongside the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
The event was co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Applied Economics Association (APAEA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Representing the central bank, Deputy Governor Ms. Aishath Asna Hamdi highlighted the vital role of timely, action-oriented research in shaping policy for small, highly exposed economies like the Maldives. She outlined core focus areas where expanded research can better support decision-making:
External sector exposure alongside fiscal and monetary policy interactions
Macroeconomic consequences of climate risks
Financial sector digitalization and modern infrastructure
Ms. Hamdi further called for deeper cooperation between regional central banks and local stakeholders. She cited the MMA's active partnership with APAEA as a model for collaboration and pointed toward the joint MMA Research Conference and Workshop slated for December 2026.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by a delegation comprising Senior Executive Director for Banking and Market Operations Aishath Nadhiya, Economic Surveillance and Forecasting Section Economist Dhaha Shuaib, Banks Offsite Supervision Section Manager Fasahath Sabig, and Assistant Manager in the Governor’s Office Moohath Mohamed Rasheed.