Saeed: Focus of discussions with China is establishing a free trade agreement

The main area of discussions with China is entering a free trade agreement, Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed has said.

Saeed made this remark while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of an additional silo by Lafarge Maldives in Thilafushi, on Monday evening.

He said that this includes agreements which would allow the supply of construction materials to Maldives at lower prices, and the export of Maldivian fish products tariff-free to China, the world’s biggest market.

Official discussions regarding entering a free trade agreement will begin in August 2015, and if successful, Maldives will enjoy historic benefits from trade with the outside world, said Saeed.