Final round of China-Maldives FTA negotiations end

The final round of negotiations between the government of China and Maldives to set up a Free Trade Agreement has ended.

The negotiations, which were being carried out in Hong Kong, China ended on Friday, September 30.

Maldivian delegation in Hong Kong to negotiate the FTA was headed by Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed – who left for the city on September 26.

Minister of Economic Development announced the end of negotiations via its official Twitter account on Friday.

Final round of China-Maldives FTA negotiations concluded today at Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/CVkmDkV8tb

— Economy & Trade (@EconDevMv) September 30, 2016

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.

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