President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has asked for a reduction in tariffs on fish exported from the Maldives to Europe.
The President made the request at a meeting while speaking to the newly appointed ambassador of the Netherlands to the Maldives, Bonnie Horbach after she presented her credentials to President Solih on Tuesday.
A 22 percent duty is levied on Maldivian fish products exported to EU countries. The duty has limited the Maldives' ability to compete in the global market for fish exported to Europe. Previously, when asked regarding exempting the tariff on fish exports from the Maldives, the UK's House of Lords had said the Maldives does not meet the requirements to qualify for a duty cut.
During the discussions, the President expressed hope that the Dutch government would consider easing visa requirements for Maldivians. He also spoke about expanding cooperation in the fisheries sector and expressed hope of reducing tariffs levied on Maldivian fisheries exports.
The President and the Ambassador also discussed ways to increase training and higher education opportunities for Maldivian students and other areas of mutual interest, including tourism, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and regional security. The Dutch Ambassador expressed the interest of Dutch private sector companies in investing in the Maldives.
In conclusion, the President and the Ambassador expressed hope for renewed and strengthened ties between the two countries under the new Ambassador’s tenure.
Photo: The President's Office
