President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the government aims to keep the fish purchase price at USD 1.30 per kilogram.
He made these remarks during the second episode of The Pulse podcast series, released on Friday.
Speaking on the programme, the President highlighted the state of the fishing industry when he took office, and shared some of the achievements made so far in the fishing industry and ongping efforts to strengthen the sector. The President said he has long sought to strengthen the fisheries sector and that he believes that reforms at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) have already delivered positive results. He attributed the increase in the fish purchase price to USD 1.30 per kilogram to the improvements in the capacity and management of MIFCO. The government plans to expand fish storage facilities and value-added fish processing to further strengthen the industry, he added.
The President also expressed hope that the United Kingdom’s tariff concessions on Maldivian fish exports will continue and said the government will work towards maintaining them.
Noting that the government aims to increase participation in the fisheries industry across the country, the President said ongoing efforts to restructure and streamline state-owned enterprises are expected to benefit the wider economy, including the fisheries sector. The government is addressing economic challenges through a comprehensive economy policy, he said.