The Maldives is seeking to significantly expand fisheries exports to China’s Hainan Province while making greater use of the China–Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as the Government strengthens international trade partnerships and pursues new opportunities for Maldivian businesses and exporters in major overseas markets.
Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed discussed the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation during an official visit to China, where he met with Governor of Hainan Province Liu Xiaoming. The discussions focused on identifying practical opportunities available under the China–Maldives FTA and developing joint initiatives that could contribute to sustainable economic growth, greater trade flows and stronger commercial links between the Maldives and Hainan.
The engagement forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to advance the understandings reached between President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Chinese President Xi Jinping during President Muizzu’s state visit to China in 2024. The visit established an important foundation for expanding cooperation across several areas of mutual interest, with the Government continuing to pursue practical economic outcomes from the strengthened Maldives–China relationship.
Minister Saeed highlighted the Maldives’ appreciation for the Chinese Government’s readiness to support the country’s development priorities under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and President Xi Jinping. The continued engagement reflects the Government’s focus on building mutually beneficial international partnerships that can support economic diversification, create opportunities for local industries and strengthen the Maldives’ access to major regional markets.
A key area highlighted during the visit was the potential to increase exports of Maldivian fisheries products to Hainan. Fisheries remain one of the Maldives’ most important traditional economic sectors and an important source of livelihoods, employment and export earnings. Expanding access to Hainan and the wider Chinese market could provide additional opportunities for Maldivian fisheries businesses, processors and exporters while supporting the Government’s objective of increasing the value and international reach of domestically produced goods.
Hainan’s position as an important economic and commercial hub in southern China also offers potential for the Maldives to develop stronger trade and logistical connections with the region. Greater market access for Maldivian seafood could help diversify export destinations, strengthen demand for high-quality Maldivian fisheries products and create opportunities for further development of value-added fish products for international consumers.
The China–Maldives Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for strengthening these commercial opportunities. The Government is seeking to ensure that Maldivian businesses are able to derive greater practical benefits from the agreement, including improved access to the Chinese market and opportunities to expand trade in sectors where the Maldives has competitive strengths.
During his visit, Minister Saeed also toured the Haiken Group Product Exhibition Hall and held discussions with Deputy General Manager Meng Xiaoliang and senior representatives of Hainan State Farms Investment Holding Group. The engagement provided an opportunity to explore potential areas of commercial collaboration and strengthen institutional connections between Maldivian stakeholders and major enterprises in Hainan.
Discussions with the group covered cooperation in food security and regional connectivity, alongside opportunities to increase fisheries exports from the Maldives to Hainan. Food security remains an important national priority for the Maldives, and closer engagement with established international partners could support efforts to strengthen supply chains, improve resilience and explore new forms of cooperation in production, trade and distribution.
Regional connectivity was also highlighted as an important component of future economic cooperation. Stronger transport and trade links between the Maldives and key Chinese economic centres could facilitate the movement of goods, improve market access for Maldivian exporters and support greater interaction between businesses in the two countries.
The Government’s engagement with Hainan reflects its wider economic policy of expanding export opportunities, diversifying markets and strengthening the Maldives’ participation in regional and international trade. By pursuing greater utilisation of the China–Maldives FTA and opening new avenues for the fisheries sector, the Government aims to translate strengthened diplomatic relations into tangible economic opportunities that can benefit Maldivian businesses, communities and the wider national economy.
The growing economic engagement between the Maldives and China is expected to provide further opportunities for cooperation across trade, food security, connectivity and investment, while positioning Maldivian products for greater visibility and access within one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
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