President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated yesterday that ways can be planned to maintain the rate at which the state-owned fisheries company, MIFCO, purchases fish at no lower than MVR 20 per kilogram, and that this is the target.
In the episode of "The Pulse" program, which is prepared every week by the President's Office, that was dedicated to "Mihaaru", the President stated that the most important measure taken by the government to secure a fair price for fish was floating the price in line with the market rate, and that its result is good. The President stated that although a kilogram of fish stood at MVR 16 when the price was floated, the price has now been raised to MVR 20, and therefore a lot of work needs to be done to maintain it at that rate.
"God willing, in the future as well we hope that, ways can be planned to maintain it at the rate we most desire, at a minimum of MVR 20," President Muizzu said.
The President noted that one of the things that needs to be done to maintain the fish purchasing price without dropping below MVR 20 is increasing fish storage capacity. He stated that the second thing is increasing the capacity for value-adding to the fish (such as canning).
The President also stated that the policy the government is implementing is to increase capacity in both of those aspects.
According to the President, the project announced to be carried out with the assistance of some countries to increase the fish processing capacity at MIFCO's Felivaru Canning Factory was slightly delayed, but the way to resolve that has now been arranged.
"Therefore, we hope that just as previously determined, within this term, we look to see if it can be brought to double or triple [increased] the amount it was at when we started," the President said.
He stated that in addition to the work to increase the capacity of the Felivaru factory, there are many projects carried out with foreign assistance among the projects to increase cold storage as well.
The price at which a kilogram of fish is purchased by MIFCO was changed to 20 on the ninth of this month.
According to the price list published by MIFCO on that day, the company's fisheries complexes in Felivaru, Kooddoo, and Addu, as well as GA. Dhaandhoo harbor, GDh. Thinadhoo harbor, Farelesmathoda harbor in the same atoll, and Fuvahmulah harbor now purchase skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna between 10 kilograms and 15 kilograms at MVR 20 per kilogram. The list also shows that if it weighs more than fifteen kilograms, MVR 25 will be given per kilogram of yellowfin tuna.
MIFCO's Managing Director Mohamed Anas told "Mihaaru" today on that day that in line with President Muizzu's promise, MIFCO is working to bring the fish purchasing price to MVR 20, and therefore the price was raised looking at supply and demand. However, he stated that changes will come to that price looking at demand and supply.
"Even if changes come to the price, MIFCO is working to see if the price of a kilogram of fish can be maintained at MVR 18. That is by cutting costs, reducing waste, and strengthening the company's operations," Anas said.
"This change to MVR 20 for a kilogram of fish was made because the amount of fish caught now has also decreased, so we also need to give encouragement to fishermen to go out to fish."
