Opposition raises concerns over Chinese canning of Maldivian tuna under FTA

Opposition figures have raised concerns following the announcement that a Chinese company will begin canning and marketing tuna caught in the Maldives under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China.

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam on Thursday welcomed the move by China's Weihai and QZ Bluesky Foods Co. Ltd., describing it as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s fisheries sector strategy to expand export markets and introduce sustainable products into the global supply chain.

However, opposition members criticised the initiative, questioning the benefit to Maldivians from exporting raw fish for processing overseas.

Managing Director of State Trading Organisation (STO) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Hussain Amr expressed concern over the lack of local value addition. “Under the FTA, we are exporting raw fish. China is canning and labelling the fish for global markets. In return, we are handed symbolic praise,” he said in a social media post.

Amr also raised issues related to the current state of the local fisheries industry, noting that:

He said there is no clear strategy to increase value-added exports, and the current arrangement primarily benefits foreign companies.

Former Home Minister Umar Naseer also commented on the development, stating that the Maldives should focus on increasing production and the export price. He said relying solely on exporting raw fish without developing local processing would limit long-term economic gains and hinder national development.

Under the Maldives-China FTA, tuna is one of the key products enjoying preferential tariff treatment. The opposition has previously called for more domestic processing capacity to maximise benefits for the Maldivian economy and fishing communities.