Maldives and China Sign Agreement for Seafood Exports
The Maldives and China have formalised an agreement to facilitate the export of Maldivian fish products to the Chinese market.
The signing ceremony took place with the Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Wu Haiping, and the Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Health, Ismail Zahir, representing their respective countries.
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Very pleased to attend the signing ceremony of the Protocol on inspection & quarantine requirements for Maldives' wild aquatic products exported to China, which will help promote the trade of aquatic products. I believe 🇲🇻 can benefit a lot from the huge market of 🇨🇳. pic.twitter.com/FlfZZpcXvV— Ambassador Wang Lixin (@China_Amb_Mdv) October 29, 2024
Deputy Minister Zahir remarked that the agreement would ease the export process for Maldivian businesses, providing them with greater opportunities to reach the Chinese market. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, underscored the mutual benefits anticipated from this collaboration, noting that it would simplify Chinese businesses’ access to Maldivian seafood.
The export of seafood products to China will adhere to specific quality standards. The Maldives’ Health Ministry noted that the agreement would support compliance with these standards, ensuring that exported products meet necessary requirements.
This initiative aligns with the Maldivian government’s broader objective to maximise benefits from its ocean resources. Preparations are also underway to activate a free trade agreement with China next year. Currently, trade between the Maldives and China stands at around USD 700 million annually, a figure that the government projects could rise to USD 1 billion following the implementation of the free trade agreement.
