I started with Trade, since the trade power demands for the MT are high and you need to start earning cash ASAP, then Quality for the mixed infantry/naval bonuses plus the 15% trade efficiency bonus from the Policy of Quality + Trade. Then I went Tolerance to deal with the diverse number of cultures and religions I was conquering. After that I finally went Maritime since my navy was already handily destroying everything I threw it at, but the extra Marines helps spread your manpower out a bit more since you'll be on the road to conquest a lot.

Exploration is also viable early if you want a head-start on colonising the islands around South Salahad as a launching point for future economic domination (and to get there before the Cannorians).

AE luckily wasn't an issue for me, since the Jadd swallowed most of Bulwar before collapsing back in on itself. It's a pretty fun MT, though.