Maldivian sea cucumber exporters met with a visiting delegation from the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce (CFNA) to explore the potential for expanding exports to the Chinese market, with a focus on leveraging the recently activated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China.
The discussions included representatives from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, alongside CFNA officials and key exporters. The primary objective of the meeting was to identify ways to enhance trade flows of sea cucumbers and other fishery products, now eligible for duty-free access to China under the FTA.
The CFNA delegation, which arrived in the Maldives on 14 April, also met with officials from the Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), and the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the local fisheries and export landscape.
This development is expected to significantly strengthen the Maldives’ largest export sector by easing market access and enhancing competitiveness in China. According to the Ministry, duty exemptions apply to 296 categories of seafood, including sea cucumber, salted fish, grouper, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and other mariculture products.
The meeting also addressed current logistical hurdles faced by local exporters, with CFNA expressing willingness to explore joint solutions to streamline supply chains and ensure product quality and compliance with Chinese import standards.
Officials involved in the discussions say the engagement represents a step forward in operationalising the FTA’s benefits and opening new avenues for the Maldivian fisheries sector in one of the world’s largest seafood markets.
