Maldivian and Chinese institutions and companies have signed five Memoranda of Understanding aimed at expanding cooperation across trade, fisheries, agriculture and broader economic development, further strengthening commercial links between the two countries.
The agreements were exchanged on Wednesday during the China–Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum, held alongside Maldives Expo 2026. The forum provided a platform for government institutions, businesses and investors from both countries to explore new areas of partnership and identify opportunities for greater trade and investment.
Under one of the agreements, the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade will cooperate with the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau to strengthen economic engagement and facilitate commercial activities between the Maldives and Sanya.
Agricultural cooperation will also receive greater attention through an MoU signed between the Maldives National University and China Harbour Engineering Company. The partnership will establish an agricultural demonstration centre designed to support research, innovation, practical training and the development of modern agricultural knowledge in the Maldives.
The fisheries sector featured prominently in the agreements. Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited, MIFCO, signed an MoU with SINOMACH Hainan Development Co., Ltd. to explore opportunities for exporting Maldivian frozen whole fish to the Chinese market. Horizon Fisheries also entered into an agreement with SINOMACH Hainan covering the export of fish products, opening further opportunities for Maldivian seafood producers to strengthen their presence in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
State Trading Organisation also signed an MoU with SINOMACH Hainan to facilitate the import of essential food items and general merchandise from China. The cooperation is expected to support supply diversification and contribute to the continued availability of important consumer goods in the Maldives.
More than 100 participants attended the China–Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum, including representatives from over 40 Chinese companies. The strong business participation reflected growing private-sector interest in the Maldives and the Government’s continued efforts to attract investment, expand international trade and create new opportunities for local industries.
The agreements come as economic relations between the Maldives and China continue to expand under the China–Maldives Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 1 January 2025. Between January 2025 and August 2026, the Maldives imported approximately USD 440 million worth of goods from China, with around USD 124 million entering the country under the free trade agreement.
The latest partnerships are expected to provide new avenues for Maldivian businesses, particularly in fisheries, agriculture and trade, while supporting the Government’s broader objective of strengthening economic diversification and positioning the Maldives as an increasingly connected destination for international investment and commerce.
advertisment
advertisment
