Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said that a trade delegation from the Maldives government will arrive in Washington on July 10.
Speaking in Shaviyani Milandhoo during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to northern islands, Saeed said this is the first such opportunity for a trade delegation.
He added that a government delegation will also travel to London on May 15 to hold talks with the most advanced financial systems to find modern solutions that will shape Maldives' future.
"On July 10, for the first time, if I am not mistaken, a trade delegation from the Maldives will visit the US capital Washington. That has been facilitated by the US government for the President," he said.
Saeed said the government has done a lot of work in the past three months and arrangements have been made to import rice, sugar, flour and other items enough for one year and an additional 10 percent from Turkiye.
"As a result of the efforts for a free trade agreement with Turkiye, we have identified 35 types of goods. In the same manner, the Turkish government has also prepared a list for the same number of goods to go for a free trade agreement. We are working to finalize the matter before the President's next trip," he said.
Noting that the government has also requested the Egyptian government for assistance to ensure the supply of staple foodstuffs, Saeed said a working committee has been formed under the advice of the President to ensure that food prices do not rise during Ramadan.
Imports from the US have increased greatly over the past three years. In 2022, goods worth USD 99 million were imported from the US which is an increase of 140 percent compared to 2021.
In 2022, Maldives exported goods worth USD 17 million to the US in 2022. That is an increase of 19 percent compared to 2021.
