The Maldives has discussed obtaining duty-free access for fish products to the United Kingdom (UK).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid held the discussions during his meeting with James Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the UK. During the meeting, Minister Shahid congratulated Foreign Secretary Cleverly on his reappointment and reassured the interest of the Government of Maldives to continue working with the UK on areas of mutual interest. They also reviewed the existing bilateral portfolio between the two countries and explored avenues to further enhance cooperation, especially in the areas of trade and tourism. They further discussed the significance of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries, especially in obtaining duty-free access to the UK, for fish and fish products from the Maldives.
During his visit to the UK, Minister Shahid also met with the Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, and the United Nations (UN) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Asia, Energy, Climate and Environment Lord Goldsmith and Minister for Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Andrew Mitchell. During the meetings, Minister Shahid highlighted the longstanding relations between the Maldives and the UK and reiterated the interest of the Government of the Maldives to further enhance cooperation both bilaterally and in the multilateral sphere.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid met with the Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Sir Hugo Swire, and members of the UK Parliament.