Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said that the British government's decision to scrap tariffs on Maldivian fish products from 20 May 2026 will bring real benefits to Maldivian fishing community.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with MMTV, the minister said it was a proud moment for the Maldivian fishing industry, describing it as one of the most important achievements in the sector under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's Sdministration.

Minister Shiyam said around 20 per cent of the Maldives' fish exports go to the United Kingdom, and that the duty-free access already enjoyed by competing nations had put the Maldives at a disadvantage for years. Seven of the ten countries exporting fish to the UK had already been doing so without tariffs, while the Maldives continued to face additional costs.

The minister said previous governments had tried but failed to secure tariff relief from the UK. President Dr Muizzu, he said, made it a priority from day one, raising the issue in every meeting he held during his visit to the UK last year until a resolution was reached.

The Maldives exports around GBP 18 million worth of fish to the UK each year, and the removal of tariffs is seen as a major win for fishermen across the country.

Minister Shiyam said the Government has made strong gains in the fisheries sector over the past two years and stressed that there is more to come in the days ahead.