MDP Presses Government to Clarify Silence on UK Trade Talks, Fisheries Tariffs

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the Muizzu government to explain why discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom were dropped from the latest round of bilateral dialogue, despite earlier progress under the previous administration. The MDP expressed concern that the recently concluded UK-Maldives Strategic Dialogue did not include talks on reducing tariffs on Maldivian fish exports to the UK, a key issue from the first round in 2023. More than half of the Maldives’ canned fish products are exported to the UK. The MDP-led government had reduced the UK import tariff from 24% to 20% in 2020 and initiated talks to eliminate remaining duties. However, the second round focused on UK immigration policy and visa challenges. The MDP says the current government has put the FTA on the back burner since coming to power in November 2023.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the Muizzu government to explain why discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom were dropped from the latest round of bilateral dialogue, despite earlier progress under the previous administration. The MDP expressed concern that the recently concluded UK-Maldives Strategic Dialogue did not include talks on reducing tariffs on Maldivian fish exports to the UK, a key issue from the first round in 2023. More than half of the Maldives’ canned fish products are exported to the UK. The MDP-led government had reduced the UK import tariff from 24% to 20% in 2020 and initiated talks to eliminate remaining duties. However, the second round focused on UK immigration policy and visa challenges. The MDP says the current government has put the FTA on the back burner since coming to power in November 2023.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the Muizzu government to explain why discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom were dropped from the latest round of bilateral dialogue, despite earlier progress under the previous administration. The MDP expressed concern that the recently concluded UK-Maldives Strategic Dialogue did not include talks on reducing tariffs on Maldivian fish exports to the UK, a key issue from the first round in 2023. More than half of the Maldives’ canned fish products are exported to the UK. The MDP-led government had reduced the UK import tariff from 24% to 20% in 2020 and initiated talks to eliminate remaining duties. However, the second round focused on UK immigration policy and visa challenges. The MDP says the current government has put the FTA on the back burner since coming to power in November 2023.

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