President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom opened the new Marina developed in Kooddoo, Gaafu Alif Atoll, offering multiple benefits to local fishermen.
While speaking at the opening ceremony of the Marina, President Yameen shared his sentiments to the future of individuals working in the fishing industry.
The president further revealed the current government's plans to develop services and opportunities for the fishing industry of Maldives. He asserted that he will implement and carry out these plans of development for the fishing industry, should he win the upcoming elections.
"Local fishermen will be well aware of the current government being responsible for most of the development brought to the fishing industry. And should we get elected for the coming five years, we assure the local fishermen that there will be an increase in the budget and improvement of facilities pertaining to the industry," said President Yameen.
However, he revealed that he will not be able to confidently vow for exact sums of money to be given to exact quantities of fish. He stated the importance of refraining from making such claims to avoid talks of inadequacies on his part.
While speaking at the opening ceremony of the Marina, chairman of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO) Ahmed Shaheer reported the facilities of this newly opened Marina, which include four different rooms, a meeting room as well as internet services throughout the establishment.
Shaheer also shed light on MIFCO's state and quality during the past Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s government, claiming that the company reached its lowest point during their regime, and that the local fishermen were the people most affected as a consequence of this plunge. He also criticized the MDP government, implying that MIFCO's development and services were setback 30 years due to the opposition's ruling.
Furthermore, he stated that MIFCO was preserved by President Yameen, by placing it under State Trading Organization (STO), and credited the current government for the many services offered to local fishermen by MIFCO in the past five years.
"We have experienced an increase to 65 tonnes of fish at the cannery, from a low of 10 tonnes of fish. We are working to redeem the customers we lost during this period, as well as salvage the trust of these customers and continue the exportation of fish," said Shaheer.
Adding to this, he stated, "Our goal is to add value to all fish products bought by MIFCO in accordance to the current government's policy. The added value will be implemented in the near future."
Shaheer further stated that the ice plants under construction will be brought to completion, and assured commencement of services from these establishments. He also revealed plans of building a new facility with a capacity of housing 1,500 tonnes of fish.
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