The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Turkey and the Maldives entered into force, according to Turkey's Ministry of Trade. The pact was signed in Istanbul on 4 November 2024 by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Maldivian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed.
The agreement covers market access in goods trade, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade facilitation and rules of origin. Turkey's parliament approved the ratification bill on 9 October 2025, and the decision was published in the country's Official Gazette on 19 December 2025.
Tariff cuts for exporters
Under the PTA, Turkish exporters gained tariff advantages on 404 products, including iron and steel articles, aluminium sheets, electrical parts and components, refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, marine vessels, furniture, plastic articles, cosmetics, chocolates, candies, sausages, certain fish fillets and sauces.
Number of products on which Turkish exporters gained tariff advantages under the PTA.
In return, the Maldives received tariff reductions or exemptions on 154 tariff lines, covering fish used in manufacturing prepared or preserved fish, fish meal, swordfish, cold-water shrimp and other shrimps.
Minister's remarks
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said on social media that, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership, the agreement is an important step to increase exporters' competitiveness in global markets within Turkey's export-oriented trade vision. He said the PTA will take Turkey-Maldives economic cooperation to a further level and create a strong trade infrastructure offering exporters new opportunities.
Turkish exporters will gain tariff advantages on 404 products in a wide product range.
Bolat said customs duties in the Maldives, averaging around 16%, are completely removed on 293 tariff lines for Turkish-origin products, while Turkey's existing advantages on 111 tariff lines that already have duty exemption are preserved. He added that Turkish industrialists, producers and exporters will be able to access one of the Indian Ocean's strategic markets on more advantageous terms.
Trade volume between Turkey and the Maldives last year was $69 million. Bolat said this is expected to reach higher levels in the coming period thanks to the PTA. He said Turkey strengthens its trade diplomacy and opens new doors to its exporters through free and preferential trade agreements, while diversifying production and exports to strengthen its position in global value chains. He added that Turkey will continue to produce, export, reach new markets and permanently increase the country's economic power under President Erdoğan's leadership in line with the 'Turkish Century' goals.