Maldives and China would sign a free trade agreement in June, economic minister Mohamed Saeed announced Monday.
Speaking during after inaugurating a training program for trade negotiators, the minister said both sides have concluded negotiations and are now finalizing the legal aspects of the pact.
Maldives and China entered into free trade talks in 2014 and had held four rounds of discussions.
"We've concluded all dialog and the relevant government institutions on both sides are finalizing the legal aspects of the agreement," Saeed said.
Maldives is seeking tax exemption from all food and seafood products exported from the archipelago to China, which according to the government includes over 400 local products currently in the market.
China had also conducted research earlier this year into the potential advantages of entering such a deal with the island nation.
Maldives and Hong Kong are also engaged in talks to establish a similar agreement.
The free trade deal with China will mark the first time Maldives to enter into such an agreement with an individual country.
The island nation had earlier entered a regional agreement with South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) which includes all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.
