The United Kingdom has suspended tariffs on fish products exported from the Maldives, a move expected to improve the competitiveness of Maldivian exporters in one of the industry’s most important overseas markets.
The decision removes a duty that had long been cited as a constraint on Maldivian fish exports, particularly processed and higher-value products. Maldivian fish exports to the UK had previously been subject to a 20 percent tariff, creating challenges for local exporters competing with producers from countries that had duty-free access under preferential trade arrangements.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, in a post on X, welcomed the decision and said it would bring significant benefits to the Maldivian economy and fishermen. He also said the move would further strengthen trade relations between the Maldives and the UK, and thanked the UK government for the decision.
The announcement was also made by the UK High Commissioner to the Maldives, Nick Low, who said on X that removing tariffs on fish products imported from the Maldives was an important step in strengthening ties between the two countries. He also said the decision reflected the importance the UK places on sustainable fishing in the Maldives.
The tariff issue has been a long-running concern for the Maldivian fishing industry. While neighbouring countries were able to export fish duty-free under the GSP Plus facility, the Maldives had lost similar access, placing local exporters at a disadvantage in international markets.
According to Customs statistics from recent years, the UK accounts for around a quarter of the Maldivian fishing industry’s export market. The UK also represents nearly half of the market for processed and higher-value fish products exported from the Maldives.
Successive Maldivian governments have held discussions with the UK over the removal of the duty. The previous administration had also expressed optimism that the tariff could be removed, although an agreement was not reached before the end of its term.
With the suspension now in place, Maldivian fish exporting companies are expected to have greater room to compete in the UK market. Industry observers have previously said that removing the tariff could improve export earnings and support higher fish prices, with benefits potentially reaching fishermen through the value chain.
