Imports from the UAE and China saw significant growth in 2024, with the UAE overtaking India as the largest exporter to the Maldives, recording a 41.3 per cent increase to USD 592.1 million. China also experienced a 15.5 per cent rise in exports, reaching USD 409.9 million, while imports from India fell by 13.2 per cent. The China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, effective January 1, 2025, is expected to further boost trade by allowing duty-free imports from China and tariff-free exports of Maldivian products to China.