No document to implement Maldives-UK FTA agreement: Saeed

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said today that there is no document given by the UK stating that they will abide by the Maldives-UK FTA agreement this year.

The minister made this statement during the parliamentary sitting when he was asked why the current administration did not include the duty export cancellation of fish exports to the UK in their Maldives-UK dialogue which was decided after discussions from former President Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. The previous administration also decided that the FTA was to be observed from this year onwards.

South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem stated that the 20 percent duty on Maldives fish exports to the UK was a concession acquired through discussions conducted by the previous administration.

Minister Saeed said that the Economic Ministry has no document stating that the UK will abide by the Maldives-UK FTA starting from this year.

"The UK has not given any document or information to the ministry stating that they will abide by the Maldives-UK FTA starting from this year," said Saeed.

Saeed also said that the acquisition of a concession through discussions held by the previous administration is far from the truth.

"There was a 24 percent tariff charge from the UK before Brexit, with it being 20 percent after Brexit. This is the common tariff charged to countries that have no preferential agreement. And so what Honorable member Meekail has stated about the tariff being acquired through the negotiations of the Maldivian government is far from the truth," said the minister.

Saeed went on to say that the first instance of a Maldives-UK FTA was not brought about during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, and that it was initially brought about by the Economic Minister of 2016. The minister said this while alluding to him being the one who submitted that FTA.

Saeed was the Economic Minister in 2016 during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration.