The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has demanded President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration for an explanation regarding why a potential Free Trade Agreement between the Maldives and United Kingdom – negotiations for which were initiated back in 2023 - was not discussed during talks held between the two countries last week.
The second strategic dialogue between Maldives and the UK took place in Male’ on Wednesday, May 28. The communique issued by the Foreign Ministry regarding the dialogue does not mention any discussions regarding the FTA – which would allow the Maldives to export fish products to the UK at zero tariff.
The MDP issued a statement on Sunday expressing concern over the lack of discussion regarding such a crucial agreement.
In their statement, the MDP described efforts to reduce tariff charged by the UK on Maldivian fish exports as a key initiative launched by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration to develop the country’s fisheries sector.
ނޫސްބަޔާން: މޯލްޑިވްސް-ޔޫކޭ ޑަޔަލޮގުން އެފްޓީއޭގެ ވާހަކަ އުނިކޮށްފައިވާ ސަބަބު ހާމަކުރުމަށް ސަރުކާރަށް ގޮވާލުން pic.twitter.com/8My5g6z6Lz
— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) June 1, 2025
The efforts led to the tariff getting reduced from 24 percent to 20 percent in 2020.
Initial talks wrapped up and the UK made a call for public input in preparation of official negotiations for a goods-only FTA in June 2023.
“As per the timeline at the end of the administration, this agreement was scheduled to be enforced in 2025,” said the MDP.
The MDP said that more than 50 percent of Maldivian canned tuna are exported to the UK – making it a crucial market for Maldivian fish exports.
Communique of the Second Strategic Dialogue between the Maldives and the United Kingdom???? Press Release | https://t.co/vuromweB8q pic.twitter.com/xvCCjwuTdt
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ???????? (@MoFAmv) May 28, 2025
“Having the UK drop its tariff on Maldivian fish products to zero percent will certainly be a huge boost to Maldivian fishermen. It will increase the value of the fish they sell,” said the MDP.
“MDP believes this agreement will bring about a transformative change to the fisheries sector.”
The MDP said they were deeply concerned that such a highly anticipated FTA was not discussed during the recent dialogue between the Maldives and UK.
“We call on the government to explain to the Maldivian people why the FTA was excluded from discussions at the dialogue,” demanded the party.
Maldives is one of the few countries in the Commonwealth which the UK is not already pursuing an FTA with or does not already have preferential access to the UK market.