Imports, customs revenue rise in August; exports fall

While the value of exports fell last August, imports and customs revenue increased compared to the same period last year. 

The statistics for the month of August released by Maldives Customs Service shows Maldives recorded a 60 percent drop in exports compared to the same period last year. 

Maldives exported MVR 270 million in commodities in August, less than half the MVR 675 million in exports recorded during the same period last year. 

TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES: 

Thailand: MVR 130 million 

UK: MVR 18 million 

Germany: MVR 16 million 

Netherlands: MVR 13 million 

India: MVR 11 million 

Meanwhile, Maldives had imported MVR 2.1 billion in commodities in August last year. The figure rose by 63 percent to MVR 3.5 billion in August this year. 

TOP IMPORTING COUNTRIES: 

India: MVR 492 million 

China: MVR 458 million 

UAE: MVR 447 million 

Oman: MVR 299 million 

Singapore: MVR 288 million 

Customs said it recorded a 182 percent increase in revenue from import duty and other fees last August. Customs had generated MVR 102 million in import duty in August last year, and MVR 288 million in import duty in August this year.