Maldives, China enter last stage of negotiation on free trade deal

Maldives and China have entered the last stage of negotiation regarding a free trade agreement between the two countries.

The last stage of negotiations began in Hong Kong, China on last Tuesday, September 27.

Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed – who is heading the delegation of Maldivian government officials in the negotiations – left for Hong Kong on September 26.

Speaking to reporters at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport before leaving for Hong Kong, Minister Saeed said that both governments would make a final decision regarding their proposals this time.

He said that the Maldivian government hoped to seal the deal and implement the free trade deal within the first quarter of 2017.

Negotiations regarding a free trade deal between the two countries have been ongoing for a year.

Saeed will be returning back to Maldives on September 30.

He is accompanied on the trip by Commissioner General of Customs, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed.