Press barred from meeting to evaluate China free trade agreement

Press has been barred from the meeting by National Security Committee of People’s Majlis to evaluate the decision by the Cabinet to establish a free trade agreement with China.

The Cabinet announced its decision to establish a free trade agreement with China in a press conference at the President’s Office this Wednesday. An impromptu Majlis meeting was held a short while later, during which the Speaker of Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed forwarded the decision to the National Security Committee for evaluation.

The decision to bar press from the committee meeting – scheduled to begin at 2:45 pm – was made after reporters from some media stations had already gone to the Majlis to cover the meeting.

Speaking at the press conference held this Wednesday, Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed said the government started discussions for a free trade agreement with China in 2014, after Maldives graduated from a least developed country to a developing country in 2011 – to cope with challenges facing Maldivian economy after imposition of duty on fish products exported from Maldives.

“This resulted in challenges for exporters of fish products. The imposition of duty resulted in an increase in export expenses. To find a solution to this, President [Abdulla] Yameen [Abdul Gayoom] made the decision to arrange for fish to be exported at the lowest price possible,” said Saeed.

Saeed said the most viable solution the government found was to make a free trade agreement. He said the Maldivian government held discussions to establish a free trade agreement with a number of foreign governments.

Seven rounds of negotiations have been held between Maldives and China for a free trade agreement since 2014. The deal has now been sent to the National Security Committee of People’s Majlis for evaluation.