STO pharmaceutical shipment in India now ready for transport

The shipment of pharmaceuticals from India ordered by State Trading Organization (STO), which was delayed due to the nationwide lockdown on India to curb the spread of COVID-19, is now ready for transport.

The shipment includes pharmaceuticals ordered by STO from five Indian cities.

Following the difficulties in bringing in the shipment, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid had reached out to his Indian counterpart, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to discuss arrangements to ensure shipments of pharmaceuticals are transported to Maldievs uninterrupted, despite the lockdown and logistical difficulties.

India, on March 14, had sent three months’ worth of essential pharmaceuticals to Maldives as emergency relief aid.

It has also lifted transport restrictions to allow shipments of essential staple food products to be brought in to Maldives.

500 metric tons of sugar, 993 metric tons of rice arrived from the Tuticorin Port on Saturday, and another 1,500 metric tons of rice and 500 metric tons of sugar are on the way to Maldives.