Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says his administration is committed to the quick implementation of the Free Trade Agreement signed with China, describing it as a symbol of the close commercial ties between the two countries.

He made the remark in his address at the Invest Maldives Forum at the Fuzhou Strait International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Fuzhou, China, on Tuesday morning.

In his address, President Muizzu said the FTA between Maldives and China is the first comprehensive FTA between China and a South Asian country.

“The FTA’s aim to boost bilateral trade and investments, especially increasing our export of fish products to China is a key priority for us through the FTA,” he said.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu attends the Invest Maldives Forum at the Fuzhou Strait International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Fuzhou, China, on January 9, 2024. (Photo/President's Office)

“My government is committed to ensure quick implementation of the agreement.”

He added that other initiatives spearheaded by China, such as the Global Development Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, have also been crucial in accelerating the implementation of Maldives’ developmental projects.

Maldives and China signed the FTA after two years of negotiations in December 2014 – during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration. The agreement wasn’t approved by the Parliament until November 2017.

However, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration – which replaced Yameen’s – did not implement the agreement.