In short
A business plan in the Maldives sets out what your business does, who it sells to, how it will make money and what funding it needs. DBS Maldives writes business plans for bank loans, SME Digital (formerly SDFC) financing, investors and partners, with financial projections built from your own figures.
What is a business plan?
A business plan is a written document that explains your business, your market, your costs, your expected income and the money you need. In the Maldives a business plan is most often prepared for a bank loan or SME Digital financing, but it is equally useful when bringing in a partner or deciding whether to expand.
A good plan does two jobs. It shows the reader that the idea has been thought through, and it gives you a reference point to measure the business against once it is running.
Who needs a business plan for a bank loan or SME Digital loan?
Anyone asking a lender for money should expect to explain how it will be repaid. SME Digital, formerly SDFC and now majority owned by Bank of Maldives, provides Shariah-compliant financing for micro, small and medium enterprises and assesses the business model, risks, revenue model, management capability and ownership structure of each proposal. Banks look at similar points.
A business plan for a bank loan answers those questions directly, so the lender does not have to piece the story together from scattered documents. When you are ready to apply, we can also help with SME business loan applications and SME Digital (SDFC) loan applications.
How DBS Maldives helps
- We interview you about the business, the market and your plans, and write the plan in clear English.
- We describe your customers, competitors and pricing in terms a lender can check.
- We build the projections behind the plan, using our financial modelling service, so the narrative and the numbers agree.
- We set out the risks honestly, with what you will do about each one.
- We confirm the current format and content the lender expects before we start.
How the business plan process works
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Initial conversation
We learn what the plan is for, who will read it and what decision it needs to support.
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Information gathering
You share quotes, records, licences and any figures you already have. We tell you what is missing.
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Projections and draft
We build the financial projections and write the first draft of the plan around them.
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Review with you
We walk you through every assumption so you can explain the plan confidently in a meeting.
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Final plan
We deliver the final document, ready to attach to a loan application or share with a partner.
What do I need to prepare for a business plan?
- Business registration details, or your intended structure if not yet registered
- A short description of the products or services and who buys them
- Supplier quotes for equipment, fit-out, vessels or vehicles you plan to buy
- Past financial statements or sales records, if the business is already trading
- Details of the owners and key staff, and their experience
- The amount of finance you are seeking and what it will be spent on
Common business plan mistakes to avoid
- Optimistic sales with no basis. Every sales figure should trace back to a customer count, a price and a reason.
- Ignoring seasonality. Many Maldivian businesses depend on tourist arrivals; a flat monthly income rarely convinces anyone.
- Forgetting working capital. Stock, deposits and the gap before customers pay all need funding.
- Copying a template. Lenders read many plans and notice generic text quickly.
If you are unsure whether the idea works at all, start with a feasibility study. To discuss your plan, send us an enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business plan cost in the Maldives?
The cost depends on the size of the business, the purpose of the plan and how much information you already have. A start-up plan for a small loan is a different piece of work from an expansion plan for an investor. We agree the scope and quote after a short conversation about your needs.
Will a business plan guarantee my loan is approved?
No. The lending decision belongs to the bank or SME Digital, and no adviser can promise approval. What a well-prepared plan does is present your proposal clearly and answer the lender's questions about the business model, risks, revenue and management, which gives the application a fair hearing.
Can you write a business plan for an SME Digital (SDFC) loan?
Yes. SME Digital is the new name for SDFC and finances micro, small and medium enterprises from start-up to expansion. We prepare plans that address what it assesses, including the business model, risks, revenue model, management and ownership, and we check its current application requirements before we write.
What should a business plan include?
A useful business plan covers a summary, the business and its owners, the products or services, the market and competitors, operations, the management team, the risks and how they are handled, and financial projections. It should also state how much finance is needed and how it will be used and repaid.
Can I use the same business plan for different lenders?
Often the core plan can be reused, but each lender may ask for its own format, supporting documents or emphasis. We adapt the plan to the lender you are approaching and check its current requirements, rather than sending an identical document everywhere.
What are the main sections of a business plan?
A business plan usually covers an executive summary, the business and its owners, the market and competition, products or services, marketing and sales, operations and management, and the financials with projections. For a loan application, the financial section and the repayment case matter most.
What is an SME loan proposal?
An SME loan proposal is the business plan and supporting numbers you submit to a lender when applying for financing. It explains what the money is for, how the business earns revenue and how the loan will be repaid. We prepare proposals for SME Digital and bank applications.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.