Otherwise, there is some light industrial activity, including fish-canning, textiles and boat building. However, development of this part of the economy is constrained by the islands' relative isolation and the small size of the domestic market. Hopes that the Maldives might become an oil producer were dashed when a ten-year exploration programme failed to locate deposits in the islands' territorial waters. The Maldives is a member of the Asian Development Bank and the Colombo Plan. Since the islands import almost everything, business potential is high, but only on Mal .
Most business takes place during the morning.
An informal attitude prevails. Appointments should be made well in advance. For business meetings men normally wear a shirt and tie and a lightweight or tropical suit. Women wear a lightweight suit or equivalent. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting.