President Mohamed Muizzu said the 2017 Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement is ready to be implemented soon, speaking at the Invest Maldives Forum in Fuzhou, China. The article traces the agreement's history from its 2014 MOU and 2017 signing through its disavowal by the Solih administration and repeated Chinese calls for implementation.
One outlet so far Only Maldives Republic has reported this among the sources we monitor. A gap in what we monitor, not proof that others did not report it.
The FTA was initiated when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an FTA was signed, on 18 December 2014, during a visit to China by President Yameen.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
Then, on 29 November 2017, a Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) majority parliament approved the FTA despite heavy dissent from the opposition MDP.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
On 7 December 2017, the FTA was signed during Yameen’s visit to China.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
On 15 December 2017, the opposition announced that the FTA will be disavowed under their prospective government, while on 10 January 2018, the Indian legislature expressed concern over the Maldives-China agreement.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
while on 10 January 2018, the Indian legislature expressed concern over the Maldives-China agreement.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
Then, on 19 November 2018, just two days after Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s MDP-led administration took office, the Maldives government decided to disavow the FTA
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
On 21 November 2018, China called on the Maldives to hasten the implementation of the FTA.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
However, on 11 October 2020, the administration back stepped their stance slightly with the then Minister of Economic Development stating the agreement would not be implemented without a review.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
The objective of the FTA which is to increase trade relations between the two countries, especially domestic fish products exported to China, is our priority under this agreement. My administration is ready to implement this agreement soon
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