Finance Minister Moosa Zameer stated today that fuel shipments from Oman are being received according to schedule so far.
Speaking at a press conference held today by the Crisis Committee formed in relation to the Middle East war, Zameer said that important measures are being taken to reduce expenses in the current situation, and these measures will be implemented in a way that does not disrupt basic services provided to the citizens.
Zameer stated that with a major priority given to bringing fuel and gas to the Maldives, fuel is being brought in even beyond the previous schedule.
"For the time being, the import of fuel and gas and providing them to the citizens can proceed without difficulties. Fuel prices must be increased. They were increased to some extent previously as well. What actually happens is that not all of this fuel imported into the Maldives is brought by STO. When private parties import it, if we do not increase fuel prices, they will not be able to stay in business, so together with that, we have to increase fuel prices."Zameer
Zameer said that even though the war has been temporarily suspended, positive changes have not yet come to fuel prices in the global market.
At today’s press conference, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed stated that good results have been achieved from the efforts to quickly bring in containers stranded in Sri Lanka due to the war.
The Economic Minister said that out of the 4,200 containers that were in Sri Lanka over the past week or so, a large number have been brought to the Maldives. Saeed said that only 1,740 of those containers are currently remaining in Sri Lanka.
"At the moment, the vessel at Male' port has 1,200 containers of goods. Then, while 2,500 containers are scheduled to arrive in Male' this week, 500 containers of goods will arrive on April 12, and another 500 containers on April 13, and 1,000 containers on April 14, in addition to which a vessel of 500 TEUs will also arrive."Saeed
Saeed said that while the containers stranded in Sri Lanka are being cleared, the Maldives' imports this year are also 19 percent higher. Therefore, he said that economic progress will be achieved. Saeed mentioned that with the increase in airline flights, further progress has been made in bringing in air cargo.
The Minister said that they are working very closely with businessmen to find further ease in this situation.
