On December 30, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video meeting with Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development & Trade of the Maldives. The two sides jointly announced that the China-Maldives FTA will enter into force on January 1, 2025. China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen participated the meeting.
Most of the industrial products such as ships, electrical equipment, furniture and agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits exported by China to the Maldives will benefit from the entry into force of the agreement. Most of the aquatic products originating in the Maldives exported to China will also enjoy zero tariff treatment. The taking effect of the agreement will provide a solid institutional guarantee for improving trade and investment liberalization and facilitation between the two countries, effectively promote greater development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and continuously enhance the well-being of enterprises and people of the two countries.