The state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) commenced fish purchasing operations in Fuvahmulah city on Saturday.
In a statement, MIFCO announced that its CEO, retired Brigadier General Farhath Shaheer, had met with the Fuvahmulah City Council earlier this month and committed to initiating fish procurement from the city. Fulfilling this pledge, a MIFCO fish company vessel arrived in Fuvahmulah last Thursday, with purchasing activities officially starting on Saturday.
MIFCO has provided assurances that the fish processing center currently under construction in Fuvahmulah will be completed and operational this year, ensuring readily available processed fish for the city's residents.
Fishermen across various parts of the Maldives have historically faced challenges in selling their catches due to inadequate fish purchasing and storage facilities nationwide.
To address these issues, MIFCO is implementing arrangements to purchase fish from diverse regions.
MIFCO also stated a week ago that it intends to begin direct export of fish from Addu within the next month, eliminating the need to transport fish purchased there to Huvadhoo atoll for processing. MIFCO affirmed its commitment to starting value-addition operations in Addu this year.