According to the latest statistics released by Maldives Customs, state revenue from imports and exports increased in April compared to the previous month. Customs reported that the total revenue in April amounted to MVR 379 million, marking an increase of MVR 28 million from March.
The statistics also revealed that food items, excluding pork, alcohol, and tobacco products, were the most imported goods in April, amounting to MVR 1 billion. Additionally, the country imported diesel, petrol, and aviation fuel worth MVR 905 million, while machinery and mechanical equipment imports totaled MVR 718 million.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the largest importing country to the Maldives in April, accounting for 28% of imports with goods worth MVR 1.3 billion. India followed with MVR 735 million (16%), China with MVR 472 million (10%), Singapore with MVR 425 million (9%), and Malaysia with MVR 261 million (6%).
In terms of exports, Thailand remained the top destination, receiving MVR 186 million worth of goods, which made up 64% of the total exports. Other significant export destinations included Great Britain with MVR 43 million (15%), Egypt with MVR 12 million (4%), Vietnam with MVR 12 million (4%), and Switzerland with MVR 12 million (2%).
The most exported items in April included frozen skipjack tuna worth MVR 195 million, canned skipjack tuna worth MVR 69 million, frozen yellowfin tuna worth MVR 6 million, fish flours, meals, and pellets worth MVR 6 million, and chilled yellowfin tuna worth MVR 3 million.
Customs noted that the increase in revenue indicates a positive trend in trade activities, with significant contributions from the import of essential commodities and the export of fisheries products.