The Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has rejected claims by the previous administration that Maldivian fish exports to the United Kingdom benefited from tariff reductions secured through bilateral negotiations. He said the reported decrease was not the result of government-to-government talks.
Minister Saeed made the remarks in Parliament during a session devoted to questions from lawmakers, where he addressed the status of trade relations with the UK and clarified the duties currently applied to Maldivian fish exports. The exchange was prompted by South Galolhu lawmaker Meekail Ahmed Nasym, who suggested that discussions under the former government had successfully led to a reduction in tariffs.
Minister Saeed dismissed that account, stating that while the previous administration had claimed the UK reduced duties on Maldivian fish exports, there was no evidence that the change had been secured as a negotiated concession.
He then outlined the tariff structure in detail. “Prior to Brexit, the tariff levied by the United Kingdom stood at 24 percent. Currently, the imposed tariff rate is 20 percent. This is the standard tariff imposed by the UK on all nations that do not possess a preferential agreement with the country,” he said.
Attention also turned to the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and the UK. MP Meekail noted that it had been reported the agreement would take effect this year. Minister Saeed categorically denied that such an implementation was scheduled and asked the lawmaker to provide the basis for the claim.
“There is no documentation received by the ministry confirming that the UK government provided any assurance that the free trade agreement between the Maldives and the United Kingdom would commence implementation,” Minister Saeed said.
He also provided historical context, confirming that discussions on an FTA were first initiated in 2016, coinciding with the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The initial letter concerning the talks, he recalled, was signed on 16 October 2016 by the then-Economic Minister, a position he himself held at the time.
Looking ahead, Minister Saeed said the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has prioritised efforts to secure tariff reductions from other trading partners. He underscored that the government’s focus is on achieving tariff adjustments that deliver the greatest benefit to the Maldives.