Discussions has been held between the Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom James Cleverly, on obtaining duty free access for Maldivian fish products to the UK.

Foreign Minister Shahid is on a week long official visit to the UK.

Minister Shahid met with the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on Monday.

During the meeting, Minister Shahid congratulated Foreign Secretary on his reappointment and reassured the Government of Maldives interest to continue working with the UK on areas of mutual interest.

The meeting saw both Minister Shahid and Secretary Cleverly reviewing the existing bilateral portfolio between the two countries. They explored avenues to further enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of trade and tourism.

Minister Shahid and the Foreign Secretary discussed the significance of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries, especially on obtaining duty free access to the UK, for fish and fish products from the Maldives.

The Maldivian Minister also met with the Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, as part of his trip to the UK.

Additionally, the trip has also seen Minister Shahid meeting up with the Minister for Asia, Energy, Climate and Environment of UK, Lord Goldsmith and Minister for Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Andrew Mitchell.

During the meetings, Minister Shahid highlighted on the longstanding relations between the Maldives and the UK, and reiterated the Government of Maldives interest to further enhance cooperation both bilaterally and in the multilateral sphere.

Minister Shahid also met with the Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Sir Hugo Swire and the members of the parliament

Minister Shahid is also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Oxford Union Society later this visit.

Minister Shahid is accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, High Commissioner of Maldives to UK Dr. Farahanaz Faizal, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Counsellor at the High Commission of Maldives in UK Moosa Yameen Shahid.

Minister Shahid departed to UK on October 29, and is to conclude his trip on November 04.