Saeed meets China's Commerce Minister to discuss economic cooperation

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao for discussions related to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Their meeting is aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's earlier discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on economy and commerce during Maldivian head of state's trip to China in January 2024.

The ministers met at the sidelines of the 15th World Economic Forum, held at the Dalian Congress Hall in Dalian Provice, China on Tuesday, June 25th.

Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, reflecting on Saeed's meeting with Wentao said the meeting would help facilitate implementation of "important consensus" reached between the presidents of China and the Maldives.

She added that she looked forward to more achievements in comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership of the two countries.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed on making expedited preparations to implement the particulars of the FTA.

Besides this, the two ministers had discussed on a wide array of topics regarding deepening trade and investment between the Maldives and China.

In this regard, Saeed and Wentao discussed towards establishing a currency settlement system to enhance robust trade and commerce between the two countries.

It is a key priority of Dr. Muizzu's administration to seek such currency settlement agreement with bigger economic allies of the Maldives, to enhance trade convenience.

President Muizzu made the state visit to China on January 06th, on the invitation of Chinese President. It was his first state visit, after assuming office on November 17th, 2023.

During his official visit, the two countries entered into multiple key agreements, including disaster risk reduction, deepening blue economy cooperation, strengthening and promoting investment cooperation among several other key agreements.