Ministers to attend first China-Maldives Joint Commission meeting

A high-level delegation has departed to Beijing, China, to attend the first meeting of the China-Maldives Joint Commission.

The delegation consists of Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed, and Minister at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

Speaking to reporters prior to their departure, Saeed said that the discussions would focus on developmental projects planned by the government.

He said that the meeting would be important for Maldives, as discussions would include ways to enhance economic benefits for both countries through collaboration.

Saeed also noted that discussions would be held with Chinese Commerce Ministry to establish a free-trade area, to increase import and export in both countries.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Shainee said that the discussions would also include prioritising and expediting the Male’-Hulhule bridge project, and that efforts would be made to sign agreements for projects such as the airport runway project.

Shareef said that the official agreement regadring Maldives joining the Chines Maritime Silk Route project would be signed during this visit.

The Maldivian officials included in the China-Maldives Joint Commission are Fisheries Minister Dr Shainee, Economic Minister Saeed, Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon.