The final discussions to establish a free trade agreement with Hong Kong have been concluded.

Speaking to RaajjeMV from Hong Kong, Minister Saeed said the FTA discussions began in 2016 and was concluded successfully on Friday.

The FTA must be sent to Parliament and Cabinet for approval before signing it.

Minister Saeed said no date was fixed for signing the agreement. Though Hong Kong is part of China, with whom the Maldives signed an FTA with in 2017, he said the rules for financial engagement were different.

The FTA with Hong Kong will benefit the tourism, financial and fisheries sectors the most, Minister Saeed said.

Maldives signed an FTA with China in December. That FTA was fast tracked through both Parliament and the Cabinet, which led to both opposition and civil society organizations expressing concern over it.