Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed has departed on an official visit to Türkiye to boost economic ties between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Minister Saeed is scheduled to meet with key international business leaders and Turkish business associates during the visit.
“The meetings will focus on expanding trade partnerships and exploring new investment opportunities between the Maldives and Türkiye,” the Ministry said.
The Minister is accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry during the three-day visit.
Maldives has enjoyed an uptick in relations with Türkiye since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office in November 2023.
His first State visit since assuming office was to Türkiye was marked by official talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Discussions covered diverse areas, including trade, investment, renewable energy, and higher education.
Maldives has also signed a Preferential Trade Agreement with Türkiye which is designed to not only ease fish exports to Türkiye but also reduce trade barriers, bolster trade relations between the two countries, and facilitate increased bilateral trade. Maldivian fish exporters will have the opportunity to expand their business in the Turkish market, while Maldivian consumers and businesses will benefit from access to Turkish products at lower prices.
In February last year, established an Embassy in Ankara for the first time.
Security cooperation between the two nations also remains on an all time high, with the island nation acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles from Türkiye to launch the air wing of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Türkiye is also set to donate the TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft, to the Maldives as part of a bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening the island nation’s maritime defense infrastructure.