Maldives-India to hold negotiations on entering Free Trade Agreement

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has announced that negotiations will soon be held with India to enter a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"This agreement alongside other economic and trade-related agreements will facilitate trade liberalization and ease the risks of doing business in both our countries," Zameer said in his statement last night.

Extending thanks to India for the continued assistance towards development projects in Maldives, the Minister said that the government sees it as a matter of high priority to maintain and foster close relations with India in many areas.

While the two countries are expected to enter FTA negotiations soon, even at present India extends special allowances to Maldives in the import of a number of goods. There is a current agreement under which nine essential goods, including rice, flour, sugar, potatoes, onions and eggs, are provided to Maldives under special concessions.