Maldives hopeful of signing free trade agreement with China by 2017
After the first round of negotiations concluded at the Bandos Island Resort on Tuesday, Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed said a free trade pact with China will be most beneficial to Maldivian businesses that export fish products. “Our main aim is to export [fish products] to the China market without any tariffs,” he said.
24 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
The government is hopeful of signing a free trade agreement with China by early 2017 and securing duty-free status for Maldivian exports.
Briefing the press after the first round of negotiations concluded at the Bandos Island Resort on Tuesday, Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed said a free trade pact with China will be most beneficial to Maldivian businesses that export fish products.
“Our main aim is to export [fish products] to the China market without any tariffs,” he said.
The Maldives’ main export is fish, primarily skipjack or yellowfin tuna, either processed and canned or sold fresh to overseas markets at a premium due to sustainable pole-and-line fishing techniques.
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