Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed has said the meeting with Turkish business leaders in Istanbul yielded tangible results for investment and trade, creating ‘exciting opportunities’.
During his official visit to Turkey, Minister Saeed alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel met with the Turkish business community in Istanbul on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK) and joined by more than 15 key Turkish businesses, led by the Chairperson of the Türkiye-Asia Pacific Business Council, Nail Olpak who is also a Member of the Board of DEIK and İçtaş İnşaat A.Ş.
The session covered a wide range of sectors, including tourism, renewable energy, investment, agriculture, housing, real estate, port development, and technology, with the aim of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and fostering new business opportunities between the Maldives and Türkiye.
In a post on X, Minister Saeed said the meeting with Turkish business leaders yielded tangible results for investment and trade, particularly with the new foreign investment law in Maldives creating exciting opportunities.
“Trade between our nations has increased following Dr President Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit. Looking forward to the entry into force of the Preferential Trade Agreement, which will further strengthen economic ties between our countries,” the Minister said.
Maldives has enjoyed an uptick in relations with Türkiye since President Dr Muizzu took office in November 2023.
His first State visit since assuming office was to Türkiye was marked by official talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Discussions covered diverse areas, including trade, investment, renewable energy, and higher education.
Maldives has also signed a Preferential Trade Agreement with Türkiye which is designed to not only ease fish exports to Türkiye but also reduce trade barriers, bolster trade relations between the two countries, and facilitate increased bilateral trade. Maldivian fish exporters will have the opportunity to expand their business in the Turkish market, while Maldivian consumers and businesses will benefit from access to Turkish products at lower prices.
In February last year, established an Embassy in Ankara for the first time.