Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed says it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that goods imported by traders reach the public at the lowest possible price.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the establishment of bonded‑zone and duty‑free‑zone services at the Hithadhoo commercial port in Addu, Saeed said the commercial port will be relocated to Thilafushi next year, not because of the island itself, but because the new location offers the space required for efficient operations.
He said traders currently face major difficulties due to the lack of space at the port, with goods remaining unloaded for days. This leads to spoilage, changes in product quality, and significant price fluctuations, he noted.
“In business, our focus is to ensure that services reach the people at the lowest price. It is the government’s duty to facilitate the conditions and resources needed for that,” Saeed said.
The minister added that while the government has tried to manage commodity price changes, long unloading delays continue to harm businesses. Relocating the commercial port to a more spacious area is the only sustainable solution, he said.
Saeed also addressed concerns raised by traders regarding recent government policies. He noted that when STO began importing a wider range of fruits and vegetables, including produce grown by Maldivian farmers, some private traders and farmers expressed concerns about losses. Similar concerns have been raised after the government announced plans to enter the tourism sector, an industry dominated by private companies.
Saeed said these issues are being addressed, but emphasised that the government’s core responsibility remains ensuring affordability and stability in the market.