Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has expressed hope that the Maldives will be able to come to an agreement on receiving duty-free access for fish products to the United Kingdom (UK).
In an interview with Morning Trade UK, Minister Shahid likened the 20% tariff on fish products by the UK as a punishment on small island states, noting that the Maldives has exported USD10 million in tuna to the UK so far this year and that the amount would be higher if there were no tariffs. The Government of the Maldives has expressed concern over the decision of the UK to make agreements to give duty-free access to small Commonwealth nations except for the Maldives.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid highlighted that the Maldives is one of the few countries that use sustainable pole and line fishing and that the country banned the use of fishing nets to prevent the reduction of marine life populations. He said countries that import fish products need to align their actions with their words by not punishing a small island nation that relies solely on tourism and fishing with a 20% tariff while also advocating for the preservation of biodiversity.
However, Minister Shahid expressed hope that his meetings with Secretary of State James Cleverly during his visit to the UK will result in the Maldives receiving duty-free access to fish products, highlighting that his visit aimed to provide a final solution towards coming to an agreement.