China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement discussions to begin at the end of the year

Economic Minister, Mohamed Saeed has said that the discussions on the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement would begin towards the end of the year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Investment Forum in China, Minister Saeed said that the Government is working to modernize the trade sector. And so the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement is part of that work. The Minister said that the Government is also working to open the businesses to new markets.

Minister Saeed said that President Abdulla Yamin’s Government has regained the trust of the investors and noting that there are a lot of new investments coming to the country which have not come before, Minister Saeed said that “this is the time to invest in the Maldives.”

The Minister said that having a leader that develops the country through economic development is very good.

Noting the bridge project and the airport development project, Minister Saeed said that the economic relations between the two countries have grown since the Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s historic visit to the Maldives.

Before leaving the country to take part in the Investment Forum, Minister Saeed said that this year’s Forum would be more successful than the last year’s event in Singapore.

The Minister said that about 700 companies are taking part in the forum. That includes companies from the host, China, Singapore, Australia, India, Sri Lanka and countries from East Asia.

Minister Saeed said that this year’s forum is focused on Financial Sector, Banking, Real Estate and Transportation.

And so a high priority would be given to projects for the new land under the second phase of the Hulhumalé which includes the Sports Complex and the Stadium project for the youth.

Minster Saeed said that investors would be given information about opportunities in the Financial Sector in the Maldives.

While last year’s Investment Forum was held in Singapore, next year’s forum is set for India.