India has raised its export quota for several essential commodities exported to the Maldives, under an arrangement between Maldives and India established in 1981 which is renewed periodically. The approved quantities are the highest since the arrangement came into effect.
According to a statement by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives, the quota for river sang and stone aggregate- key material for the Maldives’ growing construction industry— have been increased by 30 percent to 1,300,000 MT. Additionally, the export quota for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour have been raised by five percent while pulses have seen a record 56 percent increase.
In previous years, India continued export of rice, sugar and onions to the Maldives in spite of a worldwide ban on export of these items from India. In the statement, India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting human-centric development in the Maldives as part of its Neighbourhood First policy.