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The meeting between Maldivian ambassador Thoriq and SCCI Chairman Abdallah Sultan Al Owais - Photo: Sharjah 24

MALÉ: The Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held official trade discussions focusing heavily on expanding fish processing operations and boosting commercial trade in dates.

According to UAE news outlet Sharjah24, Maldivian Ambassador to the UAE Thoriq Ibrahim met with Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Chairman Abdallah Sultan Al Owais at the chamber’s headquarters in Sharjah. The meeting included Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector, and Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations.

Expanding Marine Exports and Food Trade

The bilateral talks centered on key agricultural and marine sectors designed to deliver mutual economic benefits:

• Fish Processing & Storage: Developing new infrastructure for fish storage and processing to support Maldivian seafood exports.
• Dates Import & Distribution: Scaling up trade opportunities and logistics networks for dates between the two regions.
• Tourism Investments: Exploring additional investment options to further build out the Maldivian tourism sector.

SCCI Chairman Al Owais affirmed the chamber’s readiness to connect Maldivian businesses with local partners, pointing to Sharjah’s advanced port infrastructure and shipping links as gateways for expanded trade.

Logistics and Port Management

The Maldivian delegation expressed strong interest in joining trade fairs organized by the Sharjah Chamber to promote local products.

The two sides also discussed drawing on Sharjah’s extensive expertise in port operations to help advance Maldivian government plans to develop local lagoons, commercial ports, and maritime logistics networks.