Maldivian seafood products are set to enter the Chinese market under the Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), following an agreement signed between Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd and Xinguang Show Beijing Commercial Management Co. Ltd. The deal marks a significant step in expanding Maldives’ fisheries exports and strengthening economic ties with China.
The signing ceremony took place in Beijing, attended by Maldivian Ambassador to China Dr. Fazeel Najeeb and State Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources Dr. Amzath Ahmed. The agreement was signed by Ensis Fisheries’ General Manager Husain Afeef and Xinguang Show Beijing Commercial Management’s Chairman.
Under the agreement, Ensis Fisheries will export premium Maldivian tuna, including canned and frozen tuna, to China. The first shipment is scheduled for mid-March and will be distributed in Beijing and nearby provinces, as well as through online platforms.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed described the agreement as a reflection of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to promoting Maldivian products internationally. He credited the President’s efforts for accelerating the internationalisation of local businesses and facilitating access to foreign markets.
The Maldives-China FTA, which came into effect in January this year, is expected to enhance exports and re-exports, creating new business and employment opportunities. Economic experts suggest that access to China’s vast consumer market of over 1.41 billion people will support the growth of Maldivian businesses and bolster the fisheries sector.
The FTA was originally signed in December 2014 during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, following two years of negotiations. It received parliamentary approval in 2017 but had not been implemented until now. The new agreement signals the first major use of the trade pact, opening doors for Maldivian products in one of the world’s largest markets.
