President: 2022 will be the year fishermen get paid highest

2022 will mark the year fishermen are paid the highest by Maldives Inland Fisheries Company (MIFCO), states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made the remark while speaking at the official function to celebrate Maldives’ 42nd Fishermen’s Day held in GDh. Faresmaathodaa on Sunday evening.

Speaking at the event, President Solih said that this year will be a historic year for the Maldivian fisheries sector, ending as the year a state fisheries company purchased the highest quantity of fish from local fishermen since 2006.

According to President Solih, MIFCO has purchased 59,000 metric tons of fish as of the end of last week, and paid fishermen MVR 965 million.

The figure will surpass MVR 1 billion by the end of the year, he said.

Highlighting on the challenges facing fishermen, President Solih promised to resolve the challenges soon, including the complaint over limit on bank transfers and lack of discounted rate for fuel.

“I believe banks must have the same policy for all business operators. If other business operators can make more transfers, then the MMA must ascertain a policy where fishermen can do the same. As you requested, fuel will be made available at a discounted rate and on credit from STO, from Fuel Supplies Maldives, soon,” he said.

President Solih said that the fisheries sector cannot develop unless the private sector is allowed space to operate. Highlighting on the importance of expanding the private sector in fisheries, he called on the need to add value and process fish, instead of sticking to export of fresh fish, and the need to find better prices from existing markets for Maldivian fish exports.