Sri Lanka, June 28 -- Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Maldives Mohamed Saeed has dismissed media reports that his country is in discussions with Sri Lanka to develop a commercial duty free zone.

Certain media outlets have reported that Maldives and Sri Lanka are in discussions to form a free economic and free movement zone, saying that if confirmed, it would be the most historical economic agreement between two countries in the region.

Under such an agreement, residents of both countries would be able to travel to the other without the need for visas or work permits, engage in work, studies, earn property, conduct business, and seek public services, the reports said.

However, Minister Saeed stated in a post on X that ...