The Maldivian government has dismissed rumours suggesting plans are underway to establish a commercial duty-free zone between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The government denied the allegations amid media reports claiming that such a project was being discussed. However, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has stated that the claims are false.
“The rumour that the government is working to establish a commercial duty-free zone between Maldives and Sri Lanka is untrue. This has neither been discussed nor considered,” the Minister said.
According the Maldivian media citing Sri Lankan newspapers, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to visit the Maldives later next month. The reports said several bilateral agreements are scheduled to be signed between the two countries in various fields during the visit. However, the Maldivian government has not made any official statement on the matter.