Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has dismissed claims made by MP Meekail Naseem that Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed misled Parliament regarding the status of the UK–Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

In a post on X, Minister Shiyam described the allegation as categorically false, stating that at no point did Minister Saeed confirm that the Maldives had dropped FTA negotiations with the United Kingdom.

He clarified that talks aimed at securing tariff-free access for Maldivian tuna, specifically pole-and-line and handline skipjack and yellowfin, recognised globally as some of the most sustainably caught fish, remain active and ongoing. Minister Shiyam also highlighted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom was a significant step towards accelerating these efforts.

The Minister further criticised the previous MDP administration, asserting that the challenges currently faced by Maldivian fishers stem from its “mismanagement,” including the artificial inflation of tuna purchase prices based on false claims that the FTA was nearing completion.

Reaffirming the Government’s stance, Minister Shiyam stated that the Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the nation’s fisheries sector and ensuring fair and equitable trade opportunities for Maldivian fishers in international markets.