The European Union is objecting to the generalized scheme of preferences (GSP) status on the basis of Maldives’ attitude towards religious freedom and discrimination against women, reports Atuna.
This could mean the country’s zero-duty status on exports to the EU could end on Dec. 31 2013.
Currently Maldives benefits from free trade on its tuna exports to the EU, but its qualification for the GSP Plus scheme expires this year as it has been removed from the ‘least developed countries’ category.
Permanent secretary at the Maldives ministry, Mohamed Didi, has sent a draft regulation to the president to await confirmation on the country producing halal fish products. Tuna would be the first species to see a halal batch certified for export.
Maldives’ government has said it will look to this method as a way to appeal to export markets other than the EU.